Turn to an Established Illinois Adoption Law Firm

Adoption is often called the happiest part of family law. That is true when the case is handled well from the start. But adoption is also one of the most technical parts of Illinois law. It can involve strict rules on consent, background checks, out-of-state agencies, payments to birth parents, and what happens in court if a biological parent objects.

At Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law in Peoria, we focus on adoption work across Illinois. Our lawyers help families in private newborn adoptions, foster care adoptions, stepparent and relative adoptions, interstate placements, and readoptions after an international adoption. Our attorneys also write and teach about adoption law in Illinois, and we use that same depth of knowledge to guide our clients.

Why Experience Matters in Illinois Adoption

Many family law attorneys list “adoption” as one more practice area. We treat adoption as a core focus. Illinois has some of the strictest adoption rules in the country, especially for:

• How adoption agencies must operate and report to DCFS
• How out-of-state agencies and “facilitators” may work with Illinois families
• What advertising and matching is allowed
• What payments adoptive parents may legally make to birth parents
• How courts handle contested cases and notice to fathers

Forming a new family through adoption can run into unexpected complications. An uninvolved biological parent may suddenly object. An out-of-state agency may not be properly registered with DCFS. A well-meaning family may be pushed by an online service to pay more than Illinois law allows. Our job is to spot these problems early and guide you around them, so you can focus on your future child.

FamilyCore Adoption Specialist Jill Bachman once said, “[Rob Parker] is a very professional attorney who always makes the people he works with feel welcome and important. He shows that he has a passion for representing those who are adopting and always treats them with respect.” That is the standard we aim to meet in every case.

Types of Adoption Cases We Handle

You may already know what kind of adoption you want. Or you may simply know that you want to grow your family and are unsure of the path. We help with all major types of adoption in Illinois.

Interstate adoption

When a child is born in a different state from adoptive parents, a special law called the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) controls how and when the child can leave that state. You cannot just drive home after delivery without permission. Our lawyers have the experience, qualifications, and knowledge to work with DCFS and the sending state so that:

• The placement is approved under ICPC
• Hospital release orders are in place when needed
• The adoptive parents know how long they will likely stay in the birth state
• The Illinois court is ready to move the case forward once you return

Handled correctly, this process keeps your child’s placement safe and avoids delays or denials from state officials.

Agency adoptions

We know the local agencies and their workers and counselors. Parker & Parker built a reputation over many decades as one of the few law firms in Illinois handling agency adoptions. Even in an agency placement, there are still important legal decisions to make:

• Reviewing agency contracts, fees, and refund policies
• Checking whether an out-of-state agency is properly registered with DCFS
• Making sure required disclosures and training forms are complete
• Coordinating with the agency on consents, surrenders, and court timing

Prospective parents are welcome to contact us if you already have an agency, or if you want help choosing one that fits your goals and budget.

Private (independent) adoptions

In a private adoption, the adoptive parents and birth parents find each other through word of mouth, social media, or other personal connections. If you have located a child through private networks of friends, coworkers, neighbors, or extended family, we can help you understand what it will take to complete the adoption safely and legally.

Illinois allows adoptive parents to advertise on their own behalf, but it strictly limits who may charge money for “adoption services.” It also caps what expenses you may pay to an expectant mother without a court order. We guide families on:

• What kind of online profiles and outreach are allowed
• How to avoid illegal facilitators and misleading online services
• Which living and medical expenses you may pay and when
• How to document those payments so the court can approve them

Even when everyone agrees to the adoption, early legal counsel is critical. The right plan from the start can prevent problems that might otherwise appear months later.

Foster parent adoptions

When a child is available for adoption and a foster family has bonded with that child, adoption by the foster parents can be a powerful moment. But foster cases often move slowly. Illinois is near the bottom nationally in the average time it takes a child in care to reach “permanency.”

Parker & Parker holds the panel license with DCFS required to finalize these adoptions. We can:

• Review and explain your adoption subsidy
• Coordinate with your caseworker and guardian ad litem
• Make sure the juvenile case is ready to “convert” to an adoption
• Move quickly once parental rights are terminated so your adoption is not delayed

Readopting a child after an international adoption

Many parents are surprised to learn that they must often complete a U.S. court process even when they adopted abroad. There may also be citizenship issues to address. We help families with readopting a child from another country so that:

• An Illinois judgment confirms the adoption
• A new Illinois birth certificate is issued
• U.S. citizenship and a Social Security record are fully in order

Stepparent and contested adoptions

Stepparent and relative adoptions can be some of the most emotional cases we see. A stepparent or grandparent may have done the day-to-day parenting for years. Yet a biological parent who has not been involved may still object to the adoption and fight termination of rights.

We have helped many stepparents adopt even over objections from absentee parents. We have also defended involved fathers whose rights should not be terminated. These cases require careful work with evidence, notice, and court procedure. Our goal is to protect the child’s best interests while respecting the serious nature of ending parental rights.

How the Adoption Process Works in Illinois

Every adoption is different, but most Illinois cases follow the same general steps:

1. Home study or Report of Investigation.
In non-relative adoptions, the court must appoint a licensed agency or other qualified investigator to prepare a report on the adoptive parents and the placement. This includes criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and checks of the child abuse registry. In many relative and stepparent cases, the court may waive a full report, but some judges still request basic background checks.

2. Filing the petition.
We e-file your adoption petition in the proper county and seek early orders that make your case move smoothly, such as allowing your attorney temporary access to the sealed file and appointing a guardian ad litem (GAL) when required.

3. Consents, surrenders, and notice.
Birth parents must either consent or have their rights terminated by the court. Fathers may require special notice, including certified mail or publication, if their whereabouts are unknown. We work with the court and, when needed, by video to make sure consents are taken correctly under Illinois law so they are less likely to be challenged later.

4. Interim orders and getting the baby out of the hospital.
In many newborn cases, we obtain an interim order giving you temporary care and custody. Depending on the hospital’s policy, we may also present an order to release the child to you or use a short-term guardianship or agency agreement. Our job is to have the paperwork ready so the baby can leave the hospital safely and without confusion.

5. Final hearing.
Once the report of investigation is complete and the legal requirements are met, the court holds a short hearing to finalize the adoption. You and your child will usually appear in person or by video. The judge reviews the paperwork, hears brief testimony, and enters a judgment of adoption. From there, we help you obtain certified copies and the new birth certificate.

Choosing Agencies and Avoiding Problems

Your practice guide work has helped shape strong protections in Illinois adoption law. We bring those protections into everyday client advice. When families ask, “Which agency should we use?” or “Is this online service safe?”, we focus on a few key points:

Nonprofit status.
Illinois agencies that provide adoption services must be not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. This is meant to remove the profit motive from placements and keep fees tied to actual services.

DCFS registration and reports.
Out-of-state agencies working with Illinois families must register with DCFS. Agencies must also file annual reports about placements, fees, complaints, and any sanctions. These reports are public, so families can see how often the agency actually places children and whether it has had serious problems.

Fee and refund disclosures.
Agencies must give written fee schedules and explain when, if ever, money is refundable after a disruption. They cannot quietly add new categories of fees later. We review these documents with you so you know what you are agreeing to.

Complaint procedures.
Every agency must have a written complaint policy and must tell you how to use it. DCFS also keeps a public complaint registry for adoption agencies. Knowing that these tools exist gives families leverage if something goes wrong.

We encourage prospective parents to bring agency contracts and marketing materials to us before signing. A short review early can avoid headaches and lost money later.

Payments to Birth Parents and the Adoption Compensation Act

One of the most common questions families ask is, “What can we pay for?” Illinois has clear rules to protect both adoptive parents and birth parents from illegal or unfair payments.

In most private adoptions, adoptive parents may pay certain “reasonable living expenses” for the expectant mother, along with medical bills, counseling, and legal fees. These may include:

• Rent, utilities, and food during pregnancy
• Transportation to prenatal visits and delivery
• Maternity clothing and basic personal needs
• Medical care related to the pregnancy and birth
• Counseling and the birth mother’s own attorney

But Illinois strictly limits both the timing and the total amount of payments without a court order. The Adoption Compensation Act treats illegal payments as a felony. Gifts, bonuses, or lump sums that look like payment “for the baby” are not allowed, and no one may demand repayment if the birth mother decides to parent.

We help families:

• Track expenses and keep receipts
• Stay within the allowed limits, or seek court approval if more support is needed
• Prepare the final accounting the judge must see before finalizing the adoption

The goal is simple: support the expectant mother in a humane way, while keeping the entire adoption legal and ethical.

Serving Families Across Peoria and Throughout Illinois

Because adoption cases are sealed, many of our victories are quiet ones. We have worked in Peoria County and in courts across downstate Illinois and the collar counties. Each county has its own unwritten customs about:

• How to schedule consent hearings
• When a GAL is appointed and how fees work
• How interim orders are handled
• How fast final hearings can be set

We know those customs and build them into your plan from day one. That local knowledge, combined with our work on statewide practice guides, is what sets our adoption practice apart.

Helpful Adoption Resources from Our Blog

Many families start by reading before they pick up the phone. Our blog offers plain-language guides on key adoption topics, including:

• Starting the Adoption Journey in Illinois: Where Families Begin — a step-by-step look at choosing between private, foster, stepparent, and other adoption paths, and how matching works today.

• Adoption Tax Credit 2026 — an annual update on the federal adoption tax credit, including current amounts and how Illinois families can plan around it.

For more articles on adoption and related topics, you can also visit our blog hub.

Talk with an Illinois Adoption Lawyer

You do not have to figure out adoption law on your own. A short conversation can help you understand your options, your likely timeline, and what to watch for with agencies, online services, and payments.

Learn more about how Parker & Parker can provide your family with the advice and representation you need. Get the advocacy you need to finish a challenging adoption or a straightforward one. Call 309-673-0069 or send an email inquiry through this website for a prompt response.