Identified Adoption Attorney Serving Jacksonville, Florida
Already connected with an expectant or birth parent, or chosen an adoptive family? Get legal guidance for the next steps in your identified adoption.
You have made a connection. Now you need legal guidance.
Identified adoption is the term for a situation where prospective adoptive parents and an expectant or birth parent have already found each other and want to move forward with an adoption plan. Unlike agency matching, where an adoption agency identifies and introduces the parties, in an identified adoption the connection has already been made independently. What remains is understanding and completing the legal process.
This website is dedicated to serving families navigating exactly this situation in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Whether you live in the area or have connected with an expectant parent who does, the information here is designed to help you understand what comes next and when to involve an attorney. You do not need to wait until everyone has agreed on a plan to consult with one.
If you have already matched with an expectant or birth parent, you may have questions about consent, documentation, timing, and what role each professional plays. The pages on this site address those questions in plain English. Every adoption is different, and the information here is general. Your specific circumstances need to be reviewed by an attorney before you make decisions or rely on any particular step.
Board Certified. Counselor first.
Tammi J. Driver practices adoption law exclusively and is Board Certified in adoption law by The Florida Bar, a distinction earned by a small percentage of Florida attorneys. Before becoming a lawyer, she worked as a licensed mental health counselor, guiding expectant mothers and conducting home studies of prospective adoptive parents. That background shapes how she approaches every case: with attention to both the legal and human sides of adoption. Learn more about Tammi.
Board Certified
Adoption law, The Florida Bar
AAAA Fellow
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Start with legal guidance.
A match is a meaningful step, but it is not the same as a completed adoption. Before you make financial commitments, travel plans, or assume a particular timeline, it is worth having a conversation with an adoption attorney who can review your situation.
An attorney can help you understand what consent is needed, when it can be given, what documentation to prepare, and how to coordinate with any social workers, agencies, or counselors involved. If you live outside Florida, interstate requirements may also apply.
Topics your attorney can help you address
From the first conversation through finalization, here are the areas where legal guidance can make a difference.
Reviewing the circumstances of the match
Understanding how the connection was made and what that means for the legal process ahead.
Planning the legal process
Mapping out the steps from where you are now to finalization, tailored to your situation.
Documentation and consent requirements
Identifying what documents and consents are needed, and understanding that requirements vary by case.
Coordinating with other professionals
Working alongside social workers, agencies, counselors, and other attorneys as needed.
Interstate considerations
Addressing ICPC and cross-state requirements when the adoptive family lives outside Florida.
Finalization
Guiding the legal steps that complete the adoption, including court proceedings where applicable.
How the process can unfold
Every adoption is different, and the sequence varies by case. This is a general outline, not a fixed schedule.
Initial conversation
You share where you are in the process. The attorney listens, asks questions, and explains what to expect.
Review of your circumstances
The attorney reviews the details of your match, your state of residence, and any steps already taken.
Planning and coordination
A plan takes shape, including documentation, consent, and coordination with other professionals.
Placement-related legal steps
Consent, ICPC if applicable, and other legal requirements are addressed as the case progresses.
Finalization
The remaining legal steps to complete the adoption, including any court proceedings.
The order and specifics of these steps depend on your circumstances, including whether the expectant or birth parent is in Florida, whether you live in another state, and what has already been arranged. An attorney can give you a timeline based on your situation.
Living in another state?
Many adoptive families live outside Florida but have connected with an expectant or birth parent in Jacksonville or elsewhere in Northeast Florida. When a child will move across state lines, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, commonly called ICPC, may apply.
ICPC requirements can affect when a child can travel to your home state. The timing depends on the case and the required approvals. Planning ahead and understanding what to expect can help you prepare for a potentially flexible stay in Florida.
Already chosen an adoptive family?
If you are an expectant parent who has already chosen an adoptive family, you may have questions about your rights, your options, and how the legal process works. Parents whose child has already been born are also welcome. It is important to understand who the attorney represents and to ask about having your own independent legal advice.
You are welcome to reach out with questions. There is no pressure, and asking does not commit you to anything. You deserve clear information about your rights and the process, whatever you ultimately decide.
Jacksonville and Northeast Florida
This practice focuses on identified adoption in Jacksonville and the surrounding Northeast Florida region. From the coast to the inland communities, Tammi J. Driver serves adoptive families and expectant or birth parents who are connected to this area.
If you live outside the region but your connection to an expectant or birth parent is here, you are also in the right place. The legal process is rooted in Florida law, and the information on this site addresses both local and out-of-state situations.
Frequently asked questions
These answers are general and do not replace advice from an attorney reviewing your specific circumstances.
You are in what is often called an identified adoption. The next step is to talk with an adoption attorney who can review the circumstances, explain the legal process, and help you understand what comes next. Connecting with an expectant mother is an important milestone, but the legal process still needs to be followed carefully.
Yes, many adoptive families live in a different state than the expectant parent. When the child will cross state lines, additional requirements under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, known as ICPC, may apply. These requirements can affect when the child can travel to your home state. See our page for out-of-state families for more detail.
Talking with an attorney before the baby is born is often helpful. Early legal guidance can help you understand the process, prepare documentation, and coordinate with other professionals. The right timing depends on your circumstances and should be discussed with an attorney.
No. A match means you and an expectant parent have connected and agreed on a plan, but it does not guarantee placement. Consent, legal requirements, and the expectant parent's decisions all play a role. An attorney can help you understand what to expect at each stage.
A general description of your situation is enough. You do not need to send sensitive documents or detailed medical information before speaking with the attorney. Having a sense of where you are in the process, whether you have a home study, and what state you live in will help the conversation be productive.
Have questions about your adoption?
Whether you are just starting to understand the process or are already matched, reach out to discuss your situation. Call 727-800-6681 or email the attorney today.