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 Rhode Island, 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 parental rights of the child's biological parents and transferring those rights and responsibilities to the adoptive parents. The Rhode Island Family Court has jurisdiction over adoption cases, and the process includes a home study to assess the suitability of the adoptive home, background checks, and potentially the consent of the child if they are of a certain age. The adoption is finalized through a court order, after which the adoptive parents have the same rights and responsibilities as if the child were born to them. This includes providing for the child's health, safety, well-being, and financial support. The process is designed to ensure the best interests of the child are served and can involve various types of adoption, including domestic, international, agency, private, and foster care adoptions.