Adoption in Arkansas: Understanding the Process and How We Can Help

Adoption is a meaningful legal process that creates permanent family bonds and provides children with stability, security, and a clear legal future. Whether you are a stepparent, single parent, relative, or prospective adoptive parent, adoptions in Arkansas involve important legal steps that must be handled carefully to protect everyone involved—especially the child.

At Turner & Rasch LLP, our experienced family law attorneys guide clients through the adoption process with clarity, compassion, and efficiency. From simple uncontested adoptions to complex cases involving missing parents, we help ensure every legal requirement is met so your adoption can move forward smoothly.

Types of Adoptions in Arkansas

Stepparent Adoption in Arkansas

A stepparent adoption allows a stepparent to become a child’s legal parent. These adoptions are common when a parent has remarried and wants to solidify the family relationship legally.

Stepparent adoptions typically require:

  • Marriage to the child’s legal parent

  • Termination of the other biological parent’s rights (by consent or court order)

  • Proof that the adoption is in the child’s best interests

When the noncustodial parent consents, stepparent adoptions are often uncontested, affordable, and resolved relatively quickly with proper legal assistance.

Single-Parent Adoption in Arkansas

Single-parent adoption is permitted under Arkansas law and may include adopting:

  • A relative

  • A foster child

  • A child with whom the parent has an established relationship, including your own child (often used to terminate the other parent’s rights to the child)

Single parents must demonstrate they are able to provide a stable and supportive home. Our firm helps ensure all statutory requirements are met and that the process is handled efficiently and correctly.

Non-Familial and Private Adoptions

Non-familial adoptions—sometimes called private adoptions—may involve adopting a child who is not biologically related to the adoptive parent. These cases often involve additional procedural requirements, including:

  • Home studies

  • Background checks

  • Court oversight

  • Compliance with Arkansas adoption statutes

We work closely with clients to navigate these requirements and minimize delays.

Termination of Parental Rights in Arkansas

Termination of parental rights (TPR) is one of the most significant actions a court can take and requires strict compliance with Arkansas law. An adoption terminates one or both parents’ rights to the child.

Parental rights may be terminated when:

  • A parent voluntarily consents to the adoption

  • A parent has abandoned the child

  • A parent has failed to support or maintain contact for a period of one year or more

  • A parent is unfit due to neglect, abuse, or other statutory grounds

Our attorneys carefully evaluate each case to determine the appropriate legal path.

What Adoption Means for Parental Rights and Child Support

Once an adoption is finalized:

  • The adoptive parent becomes the child’s legal parent

  • The terminated parent loses all parental rights, including custody and visitation

  • The terminated parent’s future child support obligation ends

However, it is important to understand that existing child support arrearages are not automatically erased. Past-due child support may still be owed unless otherwise addressed by the court. We help clients understand these financial implications before proceeding.

Locating and Serving Parents Who Have Disappeared

One of the most challenging aspects of some adoptions is obtaining proper service of process on a biological parent who cannot be located or has intentionally avoided service in the past.

At Turner & Rasch LLP, we have experience handling these situations and can:

  • Conduct diligent searches to locate missing parents

  • Utilize alternative service methods permitted under Arkansas law

  • Prepare detailed affidavits documenting search efforts

  • Ensure service complies with due process requirements

Proper service is essential—failure to handle it correctly can delay or jeopardize an adoption. Our team is committed to getting it done right.

Uncontested Adoptions: Simple, Affordable, and Efficient

When a biological parent consents to the adoption and no disputes exist, an uncontested adoption can often be handled in a quick, straightforward, and cost-effective manner.

In these cases, our firm focuses on:

  • Preparing and filing all required documents

  • Ensuring valid consent is properly executed

  • Guiding clients through court approval

  • Minimizing stress, delay, and expense

Our goal is to help families complete uncontested adoptions as smoothly as possible while ensuring every legal detail is addressed.

How Turner & Rasch LLP Guides You Through the Adoption Process

Adoption cases are deeply personal and emotionally significant. At Turner & Rasch LLP, we believe clients deserve both strong legal advocacy and compassionate support.

When you work with our firm, you can expect:

  • Clear explanations of each step of the adoption process

  • Honest guidance about timelines and requirements

  • Careful attention to service and termination issues

  • Consistent communication so you are never left guessing

We proudly serve families in Little Rock and throughout the state, helping them build secure and lasting family relationships.

Speak With an Arkansas Adoption Attorney Today

If you are considering adoption in Arkansas, early legal guidance can help prevent delays and ensure your case is handled correctly from the beginning. Whether your adoption is uncontested or involves complex issues, you deserve experienced legal support.

Contact Turner & Rasch LLP today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can help you grow your family with confidence and peace of mind.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal advice. The laws governing family law matters in Arkansas are complex and subject to change, and the application of the law depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.

Reviewing, accessing, or using this website does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Turner & Rasch LLP. An attorney–client relationship is only formed through a written engagement agreement signed by both the client and the firm after a conflict-of-interest check has been completed.

Visitors should not act or refrain from acting based on information contained on this website without first seeking legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in their jurisdiction.

Any communication submitted through this website, including through contact forms or email links, does not create an attorney–client relationship and may not be treated as confidential until such a relationship has been formally established.

This disclaimer is intended to comply with the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct and other applicable ethical requirements.

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