Adoption is the legal process in which a person assumes responsibility for the health, safety, well-being, and financial support of another person—usually a child—and terminates the rights and responsibilities of the adopted person’s biological parent or parents.
In Massachusetts, adoption is governed by state statutes that outline the legal process by which an individual or couple can become the legal parents of a child. This process involves terminating the legal rights of the child's biological parents and transferring those rights and responsibilities to the adoptive parents. The Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 210 governs adoption, and it requires that prospective adoptive parents go through a home study process, obtain approval from the court, and ensure that the adoption is in the best interest of the child. The process can involve private arrangements, agency placements, or adoptions through the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Additionally, Massachusetts recognizes several types of adoptions, including domestic infant adoption, foster care adoption, international adoption, and stepparent adoption. The process is designed to ensure that the child's needs are met and that the adoptive family is suitable to provide a safe and loving home.