Adoption by Relatives
Leading International Adoption Solicitors
If you are a relative of a child you wish to adopt, please contact our specialist adoption lawyers. We will explain the process and the options open to you. Our lawyers specialise in intercountry adoption, in particular in situations where the child and relatives reside in different countries.
“Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law, from public law children and child abduction proceedings, through to adoption and surrogacy, and private client work”
“Naomi has a depth of knowledge in issues relating to surrogacy and adoption as well as matters in which immigration status is a factor.”
Placing children permanently with relatives is generally recognised as the next best option if a child cannot be cared for by birth parents.
There are a range of possible orders that can be made, including adoption and special guardianship orders.
The need to find a permanent home for a child may arise from care proceedings or as a result of family breakdown, where the local authority may not be involved. We help our clients to weigh up what will be best for the individual child, taking into account factors such as:
- Future contact that the child will have with birth parents and siblings or
- Whether it is important for a child to retain their legal relationship with birth parents.
With our experience and expertise in International Adoption, we also advise and represent relatives offering a permanent home to a child living abroad, who might have been orphaned or abandoned or who has been gifted to them by family members in other countries. In these cases we work closely with specialist immigration lawyers in providing the full range of advice and representation that is needed what are often these most complex cases.
If you are the relative of a child whom you wish to adopt please contact either Naomi or Bridget for a confidential chat. After hearing the specifics of your case they will be able to provide you with further information and options available to you. They will also give you an indication of the process, what will be required of you and the possible time frames involved.
Naomi Angell has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility issues
Naomi Angell is a renowned practitioner in the market with a wealth of experience in family cases involving immigration issues. She has a depth of knowledge in surrogacy issues and is respected for her experience handling adoption matters.
"She is responsive and very knowledgeable – she knows everything on the family law side of adoption and is also very generous with her time."
"Naomi is second to none in her knowledge of adoption and her work in surrogacy is also a strength."
"She has an encyclopaedic knowledge and an in-depth understanding of this work. She's extremely empathetic and can put herself in the client's shoes. She's also very strategic and is good at pre-empting litigation."
"Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."
"Naomi Angell is a stand out individual who is well regarded as to the go-to lawyer in her field. What Naomi doesn’t know about adoption is not worth knowing."
"She is the queen of inter-country adoption. She is experienced in the field over a long period of time. She has wonderful client skills and is committed to getting proper outcomes."
"She is an adoption superstar. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of immigration law, and knows what's on the horizon due to her involvement in policy."
Naomi Angell – the doyenne of adoption and surrogacy family law, dedicated to her clients and hardworking.
The team has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility matters through Naomi Angell.
"Highly recommended
Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing.""She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."
"She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."
Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."
"Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."
"Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."
"Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."
"Naomi Angell is phenomenal. She's done it for so long and knows so much that she's a fount of knowledge. If Naomi doesn't know something, it isn't worth knowing."
Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.
Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.
Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."
Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.
Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption
Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.
News & Insights from our Family Law SolicitorsVIEW ALL
29.11.2023What is a Separation Agreement?
A separation agreement is a document that can be prepared when you want to stop living together as a couple,...
Read more
28.11.2023What is Spousal Maintenance ?
Spousal Maintenance Spousal maintenance is a legal obligation to provide financial support to a former spouse after the marriage or...
Read more- 25.11.2023
The 6 Most Common Reasons Why Couples Get Divorced
What are the most common reasons that couples get divorced? Following the UK’s transition to a no-fault divorce system,...
Read more 
23.11.2023What is Coercive Control?
Domestic abuse comes in many forms. When it involves a campaign of threats, intimidation and psychological manipulation, it’s known...
Read more- 17.11.2023
Public Law Working Group Interim Report on Adoption...
Time for change? A recent interim report has been published by the Public Law Working Group Adoption Sub-Group (‘the Group’)...
Read more 
30.10.2023What is a Conditional Order?
The introduction of no-fault divorces in England and Wales removed the need to assign blame for the breakdown of a...
Read more
29.10.2023What is a consent order?
Most divorcing couples agree on how their finances will be divided without going to court. A consent order is what...
Read more- 6.10.2023
Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner dispute where their children...
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas are reportedly at loggerheads over which country their two young daughters should grow up in....
Read more - 12.9.2023
Family law award nomination for Osbornes Law
The family team at Osbornes have been shortlisted as finalists at the Family Law Awards 2023. Our family department are one...
Read more - 22.8.2023
Does Britney’s Spears Prenup Protect Her Assets?
News has emerged of Britney’s marriage breakdown earlier this month when Sam Asghari filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences....
Read more - 16.8.2023
Child Maintenance for High Earners
How much should be paid? When separating or divorcing parents cannot agree the amount of child maintenance to be paid, (...
Read more - 25.7.2023
Family Dynamics: A Factor In Child Arrangements Cases
In proceedings involving children, the parents should consider the impact their behaviour towards each other may have on how the...
Read more - 28.6.2023
Why It Is Important to Involve First Class...
Prenups have historically have a bad reputation, but they are starting to lose the negative stigma and are now common...
Read more - 23.6.2023
Children Proceedings Highlights Judicial Conduct
Jonathan Jonas, a senior children lawyer at Osbornes Law was involved in the interesting case of K and L (Children:...
Read more 
19.5.2023Declaration of Trust for Property
If you are buying a property jointly, you may want to consider making a declaration of trust to record your...
Read more- 17.4.2023
Osbornes Law Welcomes New Head of International Children
Osbornes Law is delighted to announce the arrival of Lauren Hall to the firm. Lauren Hall joins the family department...
Read more 
29.3.2023Parenting Talk With Noël Janis-Norton
Osbornes Law are delighted to be hosting internationally known parenting expert, Noël Janis-Norton, who will be delivering the talk:...
Read more- 22.3.2023
Cohabitation agreement solicitors
Unmarried couples who live together do not have the same legal protection as married couples and civil partners when they...
Read more 
7.3.2023What is legal parenthood and how is it...
This issue was in the news recently, when a married Oklahoma same-sex couple were in court over a dispute about...
Read more- 8.2.2023
Severance of a Joint Tenancy
Severing a Joint Tenancy Normally, when couples buy a property together they do so as joint tenants. This means they...
Read more - 8.2.2023
Tenants in Common vs Joint Tenants
Tenants in Common vs Joint Tenants: Which is best for buying a property together? When buying a property with someone...
Read more 
7.12.2022Judge ignores pre-nuptial agreement but factors in non-matrimonial...
Case Law One of the reasons I am still passionate about family law, after 20 years in the field, is that...
Read more
24.10.2022Family law award nomination for Osbornes Law
The family team at Osborne have been shortlisted as finalists at the Family Law Awards 2022. The department are one of...
Read more- 31.8.2022
What if my partner predeceases me before we...
A review of a recent case concerning consent during fertility treatment. When going through fertility treatment as a couple, it...
Read more
Accreditations
Most Visited Family Law Pages
Our Family Lawyers View the whole team
Claire Andrews
Partner
Family LawMark Freedman
Partner
Family LawLauren Hall
Partner
Family LawMaria Kitsiou
Partner
Family LawLisa Pepper
Partner
Family LawMartin Ross
Partner
Family LawYael Selig
Partner
Family LawAndrew Watson
Partner
Family LawJoanne Wescott
Partner
Family LawNaomi Angell
Consultant
Family LawDiana Bastow
Senior Associate
Family LawSacha Ben-Shabat
Paralegal
Family LawSophie Brand
Solicitor
Family LawAmy-Jo Fletcher
Solicitor
Family LawLauren Gaines
Associate
Family LawSara Gatt-Floridia
Paralegal
Family LawAlicja Glabicka
Paralegal
Family LawHannah Goldstein
Solicitor
Family LawIsabelle James
Solicitor
Family LawJonathan Jonas
Senior Associate
Family LawChloe Khor
Paralegal
Family LawDavid Leadercramer
Consultant
Family LawEmma Lees
Trainee Solicitor
Family LawNikki Lyttleton
Legal Assistant
Family LawView the
whole team
