Your Forever Family Starts Here
A California Adoption Attorney
Adoption is guided by complex laws and procedures that can be overwhelming during an already stressful time.
I know how important it is to get this right
I specialize exclusively in all types of domestic adoption and guardianship throughout California, providing advocacy and compassionate guidance for even the most complex cases. My double major in Psychology and Communication Studies from Westmont College, combined with a law degree and mediation certificate from McGeorge School of Law, uniquely equips me to counsel clients through both the legal and emotional aspects of adoption. Hands-on experience supporting foster youth and representing foster children in dependency court deepened my resolve to create positive, lasting change for families. I provide heartfelt support, unwavering commitment, and an ethical approach to guide clients through the adoption process with confidence and care.
Sharon L. Horner, Esq.
Here’s the Process
I create a custom plan based on the circumstances and specifics of your case.
1: Book a Free 30-minute Phone Consultation
2: Connect You with Ethical Adoption Professionals
You will get a home study from a private agency, including a background check, and education on connecting with birth parents. We will work together to prepare you logistically and emotionally for your adoption.
3: Find a Match
Sometimes you can find a match through social media, relatives, or someone in your extended network. I will guide you and help you create your profile and network to find your match. Avoid facilitators (illegal in California) and expensive advertising agencies.
4: An Expectant Mother Chooses You!
Before the baby is born, I will ensure the expectant mother's needs are provided for throughout the pregnancy and she will be advised of her legal rights. I will coordinate with hospital staff to ensure they are informed of the adoption and birth plan so that Mother's wishes are honored, and everything goes smoothly. The Birth Mother will sign the consent forms, and the baby will go home with you from the hospital.
5: Post Placement Period
You will receive home visits from a social worker to ensure everything is going well for a minimum of 6 months. During this time, we will initiate the case with the court and terminate the birth father’s rights to the child.
6: Finalization Hearing
This is a celebratory hearing to finalize the adoption! The judge confirms that everything has been submitted and issues the final order of adoption, making your family complete. You are welcome to invite friends and family to celebrate this happy occasion.
Why do you need an adoption attorney?
Get Expert Guidance
There is no “one size fits all” path through adoption. Attorneys have relationships with multiple agencies, social workers, counselors, attorneys in other counties and states, and resources for birth mothers. An attorney will give you access to a wide network of ethical professionals who are the best fit to meet your specific needs.
Personalized Adoption Plan
Attorneys are uniquely equipped to analyze the pros and cons of all options and help you choose the optimal path. Independent adoption is a good option in many cases and is generally less expensive than agency adoption, but there are many circumstances when an agency adoption offers significant benefits.
Avoid Legal Complications
Terminating a birth father’s rights is complex and must be handled correctly. With proper planning, we can reduce the risk of a birth father contesting the adoption and minimize costly litigation if he does. Consulting an attorney early in the process is the best way to prevent complications and ensure a successful, economical, and ethical adoption.
Adoptions with parties in different states have significantly more requirements. You must receive clearance from both states to allow the child to travel out of state. Attorney involvement ensures compliance with both states' laws so you can return home as quickly as possible.
It is important to seek the right legal help.
The importance of having an attorney who specializes in adoption is to avoid
Bad advice
Legal complications
Financial losses
Emotional distress
Significant delays
Uncertainty
Success
You grow your forever family
“We can honestly say we would not have been able to navigate our adoption without her support and expertise.”
— Jessica and Alan
Schedule a Consultation
We offer a free 30-minute consultation to assess your case, provide an overview of the process, and offer recommendations for next steps.