Legal Support for Expanding Your Family
Adoption is a legal process that requires careful attention to detail and compliance with specific laws. Whether adopting a child domestically or internationally, a family law lawyer can guide you through the complex paperwork and court proceedings. They will ensure that all legal requirements are met, such as background checks, home studies, and consent from the biological parents if required. Your lawyer will work diligently to ensure the adoption process is smooth and completed in accordance with state and federal laws, offering you peace of mind as you grow your family.
Stepparent adoption occurs when a parent’s new spouse adopts their child. This process involves both legal and emotional complexities, as it often requires the consent of the non-custodial biological parent and may involve court hearings. A family law lawyer can help you navigate these challenges, ensuring that the adoption is legally sound. They will assist in obtaining consent from the non-custodial parent, if applicable, and guide you through the court process to finalize the adoption. Your lawyer’s expertise will ensure that the adoption is completed in the child’s best interests.
In situations where parents are unable to care for their children due to illness, incapacity, or other reasons, guardianship can provide a legal framework for someone else to assume responsibility for the child. A family law lawyer can assist in obtaining guardianship, whether for a minor child or an adult who is incapable of caring for themselves. They will guide you through the legal process of filing for guardianship, ensuring that all necessary documentation and court petitions are properly handled. Your lawyer will advocate for your rights as a guardian and ensure the legal process is completed efficiently.
Once adoption or guardianship is established, your rights and responsibilities as a parent or guardian are legally binding. A family law lawyer will help you understand your legal obligations, such as providing for the child’s welfare, making medical decisions, and securing financial support. They will also assist you with any potential disputes or challenges that may arise, ensuring that your role as a parent or guardian is protected. Your lawyer will ensure that you are fully informed of your rights and responsibilities in the adoption or guardianship process.
At Barris Law Firm, I provide solutions for those navigating divorce, adoption, or other family law matters. With extensive knowledge of Florida family law, I assist parents and divorcing spouses in Lehigh Acres and across Florida, helping them tackle life’s toughest challenges with quality legal representation.
Melissa helped me with my divorce as well as gain full custody of my three children. She took time to make me feel confident and as relaxed as possible. Her assistant was prompt about responding any time I had a question. We received everything that we asked for. I would highly recommend this firm.
Melissa Barris and her team were professional, knowledgeable, and efficient. She handled my legal matters with great care, making the process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend this law firm to anyone in need of reliable legal assistance!
I cannot say enough about Attorney Melissa Barris and her dedication. For the past three years, she has been my strength and guide through one of the most difficult times of my life. She is not only an incredibly skilled family law attorney, but also deeply compassionate and patient. Melissa has always been prepared, thorough, and professional in court, while making sure I felt supported and understood every step of the way. She fought for me and my child with persistence and care, and I truly don’t know how I would have gotten through this process without her. If you are looking for someone who will stand by you, protect your best interests, and work tirelessly for the safety and stability of your family, I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa Barris. She is the reason I was able to get through this journey with strength and hope.
Life-Changing Representation — Forever Grateful Working with Mrs. Barris and her team has been nothing short of a blessing. From the very beginning, she was patient, understanding, and incredibly dedicated to my case. Over the past few years, she stood by me through every challenge and never gave up on me — even when things got complicated or emotional. Her knowledge of family law, her professionalism in and out of the court, and her compassion as a person gave me the strength to keep going. Thanks to her tireless work and unwavering support, I was granted 50/50 custody of my children — something I’ve been fighting for and praying for several years. Words could never fully express how grateful I am. She didn’t just represent me legally — she gave me hope, and ultimately, a fresh start with my family. If you’re looking for someone who will truly fight for you and care about your case, Mrs. Barris and her team are the ones you want in your corner. Thank you for everything — I’ll never forget it.
I worked with Melissa and her team at Barris Law Firm this year for a custody case, and I’m honestly very happy with how everything turned out. As a dad, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but Melissa really knows her stuff and made me feel confident throughout the whole process. What stood out to me was how much they actually care. Melissa, Evelyn, and Elettra were all great to work with—professional, responsive, and just genuinely kind people. You’re not just another case to them. They took the time to explain things clearly and always kept me in the loop. They’re a smaller, local firm, which I think made the experience feel more personal. Plus, their rates were very reasonable compared to others I looked into. Melissa has been doing family law for over 20 years, and it shows. I’m also using them now for a house partition lawsuit, and I’ve already recommended the firm to someone in a similar situation. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing help with a family law issue.
Attorney Barris was awesome! She went above and beyond and got me more than what I asked for I would recommend her to be anybody's lawyer!
She handled my divorce and made it a very straight forward process. I would recommend her to be anybody's lawyer! Honestly the best family law attorney around!!
I had the attorney, Melissa Barris prepare important documents for me , Very professional and courteous, I would recommend this law firm to my friends and family.
Melissa and the team are top notch! I would trust them to assist me in any legal matter.
Melissa is a person of integrity which is hard to find in business. She leads her team well, they are efficient , responsive and kind. Highly recommend this law firm.
Melissa Barris has been a friend for a few years, she is very professional and courteous, I would recommend this law firm to my friends and family. She handled my legal matters with great care, making the recommendation to her law firm to anyone who needs the best.
I had an excellent experience working with Barris Law. From start to finish, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to my case. They took the time to explain everything clearly, ensuring I understood my options and felt confident in every decision. Their attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best outcome was evident throughout the entire process. Whether it was negotiating on my behalf, answering my questions promptly, or providing expert legal guidance, Barris Law went above and beyond to support me. Thanks to their expertise and dedication, I was able to reach a successful resolution, and I am incredibly grateful for their hard work. If you’re looking for a reliable, experienced, and compassionate law firm, I highly recommend Barris Law!
Melissa Barry exemplifies the highest standards of legal excellence. Her professionalism, strategic acumen, and compassionate approach transformed what could have been a daunting experience into one marked by clarity and confidence. She is a rare advocate deeply knowledgeable, exceptionally responsive, and genuinely invested in achieving the best outcome. I recommend her without reservation to anyone seeking outstanding legal representation.”
If you’re here as a past client of Barris Law, we want to thank you for trusting us with your legal needs. Your experience matters deeply to us, and we’re committed to providing every client with the highest level of service, rooted in faith, family, and integrity.
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-The Barris Law Team
I had a fantastic and seamless experience working with Barris Law. The knowledge and care for my case allowed me to feel empowered and calm. Melissa and her team explained what was going on every step of the way and reassured me on what everything meant in the court proceedings. Melissa is brave, valiant and a fighter in what she believes in. Strongly recommend for your family law needs!