Contact Us

Phone:
505-255-KOHL or
505-553-1517

Email:

karole@karolekohllaw.com

Before emailing, faxing documents or providing any information on your case please read this Disclaimer.

Adoptions and Guardianships

There are many reasons for adoptions in New Mexico.  Unwed or widowed mothers may not feel prepared to raise a child, and they may want their children to have more than they feel they can offer at the time.  In other situations, a single parent may decide to marry, and the new spouse may wish to legally adopt his spouse’s children.  In other cases, couples may wish to start or add to their family and they feel adoption is the best answer.  Children in New Mexico are adopted at all ages including at birth, the toddler stage, and even during teenage years.   

   
Some new adoptive parents and the natural mother may want the child’s natural mother to remain active in the child’s life, and this can be arranged.


In Guardianship cases, a parent may want someone else to provide care for their children often times due to issues like health, drug or alcohol problems, homelessness, voluntary or involuntary absence like imprisonment.  That parent may wish to appoint the children’s grandparents, uncles and aunts, brothers, sisters, or even someone outside of their family to act as guardian for their children on a short term or long term basis. 


During the time of hardship, parents may want someone else to make the decisions for their children while the parent works out his or her own issues.  In order for the guardian to make decisions and to be involved with the children’s schools and doctors in some cases, it may be necessary for guardianship paperwork to be completed and approved by the courts.   


If the children or their parents are enrolled members of any tribe, the Indian Child Welfare Act will be a factor, and it will be necessary to follow the laws of the Act.  I have experience in dealing with Tribal Governments and in representing individuals in cases dealing with children in Tribal Courts. 


For more information on adoptions, feel free to contact me for a free consultation.  For additional research purposes, go to http://new-mexico.adoption.com.