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 Mississippi, 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, thereby assuming all responsibilities for the child's welfare. This process terminates the legal rights and responsibilities of the child's biological parents. Mississippi law requires that prospective adoptive parents go through a home study process, obtain consent from the child's biological parents (unless their rights have been terminated due to specific reasons such as abuse, neglect, or abandonment), and receive approval from a court. The adoption is finalized in court, where a judge issues a decree of adoption, establishing the adoptive parents as the child's legal parents. The process is designed to ensure the best interests of the child are served. It's important for those considering adoption in Mississippi to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law to navigate the legal requirements and procedures.