Forever Family Adoptions
A California Law Firm
Love Has No Boundaries
Our Services
Independent or Agency Adoption
Whether you are already matched with an expectant mother, just beginning the adoption process, or adopting a relative, we will assess your unique case and advise you on the best path to a successful adoption. We will educate you on the differences between agency and independent adoption, provide an overview of the entire process, and equip you to choose the optimal path. With the information known about the birth father, we will develop a strategy to reduce the risk of a contested adoption. Adoption social workers and attorneys work together on both types of adoption and we only work with ethical, compassionate, experienced adoption professionals. Adoption can be an emotional process, and we will come alongside you and provide wisdom, direction, clear communication, and strong advocacy to help you feel confident and informed through every step. No matter where you are on your adoption journey, we will guide you through the entire process from start to finalization.
Birth Mother Representation
Every expectant mother considering adoption has the right to independent legal representation at no cost to her. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, talking to an attorney is the best place to start to learn about your rights and plan your child’s future. You have the right to choose the adoptive family for your child and have contact throughout his/her life. We provide compassionate, unwavering support throughout your adoption journey. We will inform you of your legal rights, provide an overview the adoption consent laws and process to terminate the birth father’s rights, develop a hospital plan, connect you to a free licensed counselor, ensure your needs are provided for, and negotiate a legally enforceable post-adoption contact agreement. Our mission is to help you find strength and peace as you make a difficult decision, whether it is to make an adoption plan or find resources to parent, and provide heartfelt guidance and support to lead you to a place of stability and hope.
Stepparent Adoption
Stepparent adoption allows a stepparent to become the legal parent of their spouse’s child. This is a special event that brings a blended family together and formalizes the close relationship between a child and their stepparent, who loves and cares for them as their own. We will work with you to determine the best approach to amicably obtain consent from the other parent or a court order terminating parental rights. A stepparent adoption does not mean stopping pre-existing regular contact between the child and the other parent or changing the nature of their relationship. We approach each decision with the child’s best interests at heart and strive to choose the optimal path for the child’s future.
Adult adoption is a truly touching opportunity for individuals at least 18 years old to choose to be adopted and establish a legal parent-child relationship by a person or persons at least 10 years older. This is an excellent option for a stepparent or legal guardian who raised an individual throughout childhood or foster parents who can finally be the loving, forever family they yearned to be. There are no expensive adoption fees, no investigation, and the birth parents do not need to consent or be given notice of the adoption. We love seeing the joy and sense of belonging brought about by adult adoptions.
Adult Adoption
Dismissal of Dependency
If Child Protective Services (CPS) detains a child, California allows a birth parent to place the child for adoption through a private adoption agency to prevent the child from remaining in foster care indefinitely or being adopted by an unknown family. This little-known option that empowers birth parents to choose an adoptive family and have contact after the adoption instead of losing their parental rights involuntarily. Every child deserves the stability and permanency of an adoptive family as quickly as possible to reduce the impact of trauma caused by removal from the birth parents.
Guardianship
When a biological parent cannot care for their child for whatever reason, guardianship offers an option for someone else to have the legal authority to care for the child and provide for their daily medical, educational, and financial needs until the child turns 18 or the guardianship is terminated. Unlike adoption, guardianship does not terminate parental rights of the biological parents and the court oversees the placement until the child turns 18. Guardianship is a complex process involving numerous documents and notice to the child’s relatives. Our office will work with you to ensure that all of the requirements are met prior to the hearing to grant the guardianship.
Sharon L. Horner, Esq.
As a child, Sharon experienced the heartbreak of a family unable to grow by natural means. When her parents considered adopting another child, she learned how many children were in dire need of loving homes. From that moment, she dedicated her life to bringing hope, love, and unity to children and families through adoption.
Sharon specializes exclusively in all types of domestic adoption and guardianship throughout California and is equipped to handle the complex cases that general family law attorneys have not encountered. Some hearings can be handled remotely, but Sharon is willing to travel to your county as needed. Forever Family Adoptions was founded to provide trusted advocacy and compassionate guidance for families navigating adoption. We deliver ethical, transparent, and heartfelt legal support that honors the dignity of every individual and creates lifelong positive impact.
Sharon attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara where she double-majored in Psychology and Communication Studies. This educational background equipped her with skills to counsel clients through the emotional aspects of adoption. At Westmont, Sharon founded a ministry serving local foster children through providing mentorship, tutoring, and respite care. Sharon earned her law degree and certificate in mediation at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. During law school, she represented foster children in dependency court. Witnessing the challenges children experienced in foster care deepened her resolve to help them achieve stability and permanence through adoption.
Sharon enjoys exploring the country in her campervan with her two Miniature Schnauzers, reading, hiking, kayaking, ice skating, and strategy games.
Schedule a consultation
Each case is unique and it is important to seek counsel as soon as possible to ensure you are making the right preparations and on the best path for a successful adoption or guardianship. We offer a free 30 minute consultation to assess your case and provide an overview of the process and recommendations for next steps. Start your journey today!
