Growing a family through adoption is one of the most meaningful decisions a person can make, and it deserves legal guidance that is both skilled and kind. At Hausmann & Hickman, P.A., adoption and reproductive law is not one practice area among many — it is the whole practice, serving adoptive families and birth mothers throughout Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County. Whether you are hoping to welcome a newborn into your home near the beach or you are an expectant mother in one of the city’s many neighborhoods weighing your options, our Fort Lauderdale adoption attorneys are ready to listen first and advise second.
We believe both sides of an adoption deserve steady support. Adoptive parents receive thorough legal representation at every stage, while birth mothers receive guidance, resources, and respect for the choices that are theirs alone to make. Every conversation with our firm stays strictly confidential, and our Broward County office in Plantation sits only a short drive west of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Private Adoption in Fort Lauderdale
Private adoption in Fort Lauderdale offers a more personal path than many families expect is possible. Through our private adoption placement program, we match birth mothers with adoptive families in a setting built around discretion and care. The process does not involve the Florida Department of Children and Families, which means decisions rest with the people at the heart of the adoption rather than with a state agency.
The birth mother holds the central choices in this process. She selects the adoptive family, and she decides how much communication she wants before the baby arrives and what level of contact feels right afterward. All of our services for birth mothers are provided at no cost, and someone from our team is available around the clock whenever questions come up. For adoptive families, this structure creates a respectful foundation for the relationship that will shape their child’s story.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
As the county seat and largest city in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale blends urban energy with coastal calm. Its famed canal system has earned it the nickname “Venice of America,” and its mix of established neighborhoods and beach communities draws families of every description. That variety is one reason private adoption in Fort Lauderdale thrives: single parents, LGBTQ+ couples, and relocating professionals all call this city home, and we welcome each of them.
Because Fort Lauderdale anchors so much of Broward’s civic and professional life, expectant mothers and hopeful parents often prefer to keep this deeply personal matter close to home rather than traveling far for counsel. Our nearby Plantation office lets us serve the city’s waterfront districts and inland neighborhoods alike, and our Broward County Adoption Attorneys page describes our work across the wider county.
Why Families Choose Our Fort Lauderdale Adoption Attorneys
Only a select number of attorneys in Florida hold board certification in adoption law — the Bar’s confirmation of demonstrated mastery in this specialized field. Our board certified Florida adoption attorneys bring that credential to every case, along with more than 25 years of experience concentrated entirely on this field. Over that time, our attorneys have assisted in creating over a thousand families through adoption and surrogacy across the state.
Experience matters, but so does approachability. Families choose our firm because we explain each step plainly, return to their questions patiently, and never treat an adoption like a routine file. From newborn placements to stepparent, relative, and interstate adoptions under the ICPC, our Fort Lauderdale adoption attorneys handle the full range of family-building matters with the same balance of compassion and legal precision.
How the Private Adoption Process Works in Fort Lauderdale
No two adoptions unfold identically, yet a private adoption in Fort Lauderdale typically moves through five recognizable stages:
- Initial consultation: We sit down with you, learn what brought you to adoption, and outline how Florida law applies to your situation.
- Creating the adoption plan: The birth mother decides which family will raise her child and how much communication she wants on either side of the birth.
- Confidential placement: Our placement program brings birth mother and adoptive family together privately, without DCF involvement.
- Legal documentation: We prepare consents and filings carefully so that every requirement of Florida adoption law is satisfied.
- Court finalization: A judge enters the final judgment of adoption, and the family you have been building becomes permanent in the eyes of the law.
Speak with a Fort Lauderdale Adoption Attorney
You do not have to have everything figured out before you contact us. Some callers have researched adoption for months; others picked up the phone the day they learned they were pregnant. Wherever you are starting from, we will meet you there.
Call 561-732-7030 to begin a confidential conversation with a Fort Lauderdale adoption attorney, or send a message through our contact page. Families are also welcome to meet with us at our Broward County office in Plantation, a short drive from Fort Lauderdale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption in Fort Lauderdale
What exactly is a private adoption?
A private adoption is arranged directly between a birth mother and an adoptive family with an attorney’s guidance, rather than through the Florida Department of Children and Families. It allows the birth mother to direct key decisions in a confidential setting.
Who does your firm represent?
We represent adoptive families throughout the legal process, and we provide guidance, supportive services, and resources to birth mothers considering adoption. A process that treats everyone involved with respect and care is central to how we practice.
Will my situation stay private?
Yes. Discretion is one of the main reasons people choose private adoption in Fort Lauderdale, and every discussion with our office is held in strict confidence.
How do I take the first step?
Simply call 561-732-7030 or reach out through our contact page. There is no obligation, and for birth mothers every service we provide comes at no cost.
Serving Fort Lauderdale and Nearby Communities
From the canals to the western suburbs, Hausmann & Hickman, P.A. assists families across Broward County. These related pages may also be useful:
