Amanda and her husband submitted a request for legal assistance from CVLS through Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO). They hoped to adopt Amanda’s daughters from a previous marriage. Jennifer Burgess of Jackson Lewis, P.C., with support from Deputy Director Phil Mohr, agreed to take Amanda and her husband on as clients.
The case ran into several roadblocks at the beginning, primarily because the children’s biological father, a registered sex offender, had previously threatened Amanda if she decided to proceed with the adoption. Jennifer and Phil came up with various strategies and a plan to ensure the safety of the family. They also expertly navigated having the father properly served despite miscommunication with the sheriff’s office.
From that point on, however, the rest of the adoption process went smoothly! Amanda and her husband successfully obtained the girls’ new birth certificates from Jennifer’s office a few weeks ago. Their family, although already complete, has now been made legally official.
