At the McKellar Law Firm we relish the chance to work with people going through the adoption process. It’s very rewarding and fulfilling to help match children with a warm, loving and stable home.
There are many reasons for wanting to adopt a child, whether it is because you have always felt a desire to adopt, difficulty with pregnancy, or have a family connection that brings an adoption opportunity (such as a stepchild or relative adoption). In all of these situations, it’s important to have a lawyer who understands the adoption processes as well as Tennessee laws and can use this knowledge to assist you through the legal landscape of adoption.
If you are dealing with an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy, we can also help answer any questions you may have about private adoption. We know what a difficult decision it can be to choose adoption, but having legal representation can make your choice easier. When you come to us, we will make sure you are guided through every step and fully understand what is involved.
When you come to us for adoption, whether you are a couple seeking to adopt or a birth mother, we will make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way. Our team will:
- Explain the Tennessee adoption laws and processes
- Provide a legally secure and individually tailored adoption plan
- Explain your rights
- Review and negotiate contracts
- Clarify post-placement arrangements (if any)
If you are interested in pursuing adoption, please contact us today at The McKellar Law Firm, PLLC at (865) 566-0125 for your free consultation.
The adoption agency has been sued to a mother who putts a 7-year-old on a one- way flight back to Moscow, only with a note in his pocket. The incident has shuttled down the adoptions to the United States.
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — The press and the public will be allowed to attend the upcoming trial of a Tennessee woman who returned her adopted son to Russia.
Torry Hansen is being sued for child support by the adoption agency that placed the little boy in her home. Putting a 7-year-old child on a one-way flight back to Moscow with nothing but a note in his pocket, the agency argued, does not terminate her parental responsibilities.
Hansen’s lawyer made an unsuccessful attempt Monday to close the courtroom, arguing that confidential adoption details and potentially hurtful revelations about the child could come up during the trial.
But lawyers representing the adoption agency and a coalition of news outlets and public interest groups fought to keep the trial open. In the end, Bedford County Circuit Court Judge Franklin Lee Russell ruled that the trial would stay open and young Justin Hansen — now 9 years old and living in a Russian orphanage under his old name, Artyom — would be added to the lawsuit against his adoptive mother.
The incident prompted Russia to shut down adoptions to the United States for the better part of a year. Murfreesboro, Tenn., lawyer Sandra Smith, who represents Torry Hansen, said her client is ready to tell her side of the story.
Asked whether her client, who has moved to California and refused all requests for interviews, got a fair hearing in the media, Smith said: “No, I don’t think she did, and why will come out later.”…continue reading.
Looking for Knoxville adoption attorney? Contact us today for more information.
Thirteen children ranging from 1 to 8 years old were adopted by eight families in a mass adoption ceremony in Florida, several of these children has lost their parent due problems related with drug addiction, some has been living in foster care.
FLORIDA-Thirteen children have new families today after a mass adoption ceremony at the Moore Justice Center, an event designed to raise awareness for and to celebrate adoption.
The children ranging from 1 to 8 years old were adopted by eight families. Several had lost parents to drug addiction. Some had been foster children.
Jaime and Ligia Moscoso of Palm Bay took in Travis as an 8-month-old foster child. He had been born prematurely, suffered health problems and couldn’t sleep through the light.
“He’s growing up to be a big, big guy,” Jaime Moscoso said. “It’s nice that after four years, we can adopt him and give him a secure home so we can raise him to be a better man in the future.
LaChrista Jones, child and family program manager at the Brevard Family Partnership, said 31 children have been adopted since July 1, when the fiscal year began. The mass adoption event, which is organized by the partnership each year, happens in coordination with National Adoption Month.
“You have to open up your heart and your home,” Jones said. “That’s the most important part.”…continue reading.
Looking for Knoxville adoption attorney? Contact us today for more information.
Thousands of families participated in an special event, almost 30 courtrooms across the Michigan state to be part of the Adoption Day, the intention is promote the adoption of children who grow up in foster houses.
Mount Clemens— Saniah wore a flowing red and white dress with a white orchid flower nestled in her tight curly black hair and lacy red ballerina slippers on her 17-month-old feet in a Macomb County Circuit courtroom Tuesday as a judge confirmed a New Baltimore couple as her parents.
It was a special day for the toddler, her newly adoptive parents, Kim and Joe Tresick, and four other families who were among thousands of families who participated in special ceremonies in 30 courtrooms across the state as part of Michigan’s version of national Adoption Day. The program aims to bring about awareness to the hundreds of thousands of children who grow up in the custody of foster care with no hope of being adopted into permanent households.
“Right away I wanted to take her,” said Kim Tresick, 43, who had been Saniah’s foster parent since she and her husband picked up the little girl at a hospital when she was four days old.
This year 800 youth, whose outcomes are very different from Saniah’s, will reach adulthood, many undereducated, with criminal records and otherwise unprepared to live independent lives. That is why Gov. Rick Snyder used the public awareness campaign as an opportunity to sign a series of bills that will provide hundreds of young adults who’ve grown up in the system with cash assistance, officials said.
Snyder and Department of Human Services Director Maura Corrigan spoke at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing, where a judge finalized adoptions in Ingham and Ionia counties…continue reading.
Looking for Knoxville adoption attorney? Contact us today for more information.
Last November 21th the life of 11 children changed thanks to their new families who understand the importance of letting these children into their homes and lives, especially in this times where adoption is the best gift.
Long Island- In recognition of National Adoption Day on Nov. 21, the Dudley family, Paulino family, Rodriguez family, Rowe family and Thorne family finalized their adoptions at a ceremony sponsored by Nassau County. Close friends and relatives were present to welcome the families’ newest members.
Garry and Kim Thorne, with their newly-adopted daughter Desiree, expressed how important family is to them, especially during this time of the year.
“We’re very grateful and very thankful,” said Kim Thorne. “It was a long journey…a very long journey, but well worth it to see her face and her smile in the morning.”
The ceremony, held at the the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City, was sponsored by Nassau Country Department of Social Services and the Nassau County Family Court. It marked the beginning of 11 children’s journeys with their new families.
Edmund Dane, supervising judge of the Nassau County Family Court, began the ceremony by applauding each of the families on their compassion and generosity in providing these children with a loving home. He stressed the importance of letting these children into their homes and lives, nurturing them, keeping them safe and providing them with stability.
“It is all of you here today that have really made Thanksgiving happen for so many of the young people in our county,” Dane said. “The biggest gift of all that you are giving them is the gift of your hearts. That’s irreplaceable.”
Dane finalized the adoptions along with two other judges, Robin Kent and the Ellen Greenberg.
“You are all now forever families today,” said John Imhof, commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Social Services.
As an adoptive parent of two children, Imhof encouraged the new families and ensured them that they will thrive together through both good and troubling times…continue reading.
Looking for Knoxville adoption attorney? Contact us today for more information.
Created 11 years ago, last Saturday November 19th was the National Adoption day, this celebration is an effort to invite people to adopt a child; actually there are hundreds of foster kids that are waiting to become part of a family
LOS ANGELES- Happily, Los Angeles celebrates a day early and I was invited to the Los Angeles County Children’s Court on Friday to help facilitate an adoption. Of course, the adoption would have gone on without me. In fact, I was so nervous, I had the mom sign the papers on the wrong line and she had to do it all over again. A lawyer I am not. I was there to lend support and to get a huge dose of joy on a day that is a giant celebration.
The courthouse was raucous. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles took off from work. Brothers and sisters and cousins took off from school. Little girls wore new dresses, and sparkly shoes. Little boys wore bow ties. Balloons and teddy bears were everywhere.
The permanent placements were legally recognized by smiling judges who called everyone up to the podium and took photos with the delighted families.
Papers were signed… correctly, and people became inseparably linked together forever.
One hundred and twenty foster kids were officially accepted into their new families in Los Angeles. Across the country more than 4,000 adoptions were finalized.
Some people adopted one child. Some adopted two or more. The single mother I was assigned to was adopting her fifth child from foster care. The oldest boy, who she adopted in 2009 at the age of 16, was wrangling the younger ones. The six year old was making sure he got the best seat in the courtroom. The 11 year old got to bang the judge’s gavel and say, “order in the court”…continue reading.
Looking for Knoxville adoption attorney? Contact us today for more information.
Created 11 years ago, last Saturday November 19th was the National Adoption day, this celebration is an effort to invite people to adopt a child; actually there are hundreds of foster kids that are waiting to become part of a family
LOS ANGELES- Happily, Los Angeles celebrates a day early and I was invited to the Los Angeles County Children’s Court on Friday to help facilitate an adoption. Of course, the adoption would have gone on without me. In fact, I was so nervous, I had the mom sign the papers on the wrong line and she had to do it all over again. A lawyer I am not. I was there to lend support and to get a huge dose of joy on a day that is a giant celebration.
The courthouse was raucous. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles took off from work. Brothers and sisters and cousins took off from school. Little girls wore new dresses, and sparkly shoes. Little boys wore bow ties. Balloons and teddy bears were everywhere.
The permanent placements were legally recognized by smiling judges who called everyone up to the podium and took photos with the delighted families.
Papers were signed… correctly, and people became inseparably linked together forever.
One hundred and twenty foster kids were officially accepted into their new families in Los Angeles. Across the country more than 4,000 adoptions were finalized.
Some people adopted one child. Some adopted two or more. The single mother I was assigned to was adopting her fifth child from foster care. The oldest boy, who she adopted in 2009 at the age of 16, was wrangling the younger ones. The six year old was making sure he got the best seat in the courtroom. The 11 year old got to bang the judge’s gavel and say, “order in the court”…continue reading.
Looking for Knoxville adoption attorney? Contact us today for more information.


