Nicole Skellenger | Dempsey Law

Nicole Skellenger

Partner

561-489-2248

Bio

Nicole Skellenger joined Dempsey Law in 2019 where she serves adoption agencies, adoptive families, birth families, and adoptees. Nicole has worked in the field of adoption since 2008 holding various roles, including Executive Director of an intercountry adoption agency. Following her agency work, Nicole stepped into the role of representing agencies and individuals involved in adoption. Nicole is a licensed attorney in both Indiana and Florida and is considered an authority in intercountry adoption agency compliance matters. In 2021, Nicole became a partner of Dempsey Law, an interstate law firm. Nicole provides domestic adoption services in Florida. Nicole believes that all children are worth fighting for and are deserving of a loving permanent family.

education

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana

Doctor of Jurisprudence - 2010
Honors: Dean's List
Honors: Gold Level Pro Bono Service Award

Professional Associations

Florida State Bar, 2019 to Present
Indiana State Bar, 2010 to Present
Florida Adoption Council, Attorney Member, 2021 to Present
National Council for Adoption, Attorney Member, 2019 to Present
Center for Excellence in Adoption Services, Founding Board Member, 2020-2022

Classes, Presentations, and Publications

Intercountry Adoption - Agency Perspective and Hot Topics, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 2022
Navigating Legal Issues for the Foreign-Born Child, National Council for Adoption, 2022
Hague Accreditation 2021, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 2021
How to Finalize and Obtain Citizenship for After International Adoption, Adoption Summit, 2020
Maintenance & Re-Accreditation: Best Practices for the New Age, NCFA, 2018
Harnessing Runaway Regulation & Defining the Narrative: An Orphan's Right to Permanency, NCFA, 2017
How the Universal Accreditation Act Will Affect International Adoptions, Creating A Family, 2014

Past Positions

Here’s What We Do

Our services are tailored to provide guidance and individualized attention to our prospective, intended, or hopeful parents. From international to domestic adoption, we’re experienced and knowledgeable about this process, and most importantly, we ground our practice in supporting you from beginning to end.

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Disruption and Dissolution

We understand that the adoption process can be emotionally and financially challenging, and we are here to support you and advocate for your rights. Our experienced attorneys have a deep understanding of the complex laws and regulations surrounding adoption in the state of North Carolina, and we are committed to fighting for the best possible outcome for you and your family. If you are facing an adoption disruption or dissolution, please don't hesitate to contact us for compassionate and skilled legal representation.

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Adoption Agency Compliance

Ensuring compliance with adoption agency regulations is vital to the success of the adoption process, as it safeguards the rights and interests of everyone involved and promotes the ethical and transparent completion of adoptions.

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Domestic Adoption

If you're looking to adopt a child domestically, we can help. We have years of experience handling infant adoption, interstate adoption, stepparent adoption, guardianship, and more.

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Stepparent and Relative Adoption

As a step-parent, you have already formed a parent-child relationship. However, you may choose to formalize the parent-child relationship through step-parent adoption. If you are considering a North Carolina step-parent adoption, Dempsey Law can help.

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Interstate Infant Adoption

This is a required legal process if you’re seeking to adopt a child who is currently not living in the same state as you. It is known as ICPC and must be completed before you can return home with the child.

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International Adoption

Adopting internationally can be stressful and expensive. At Dempsey Law, we’ll work to help you secure citizenship for your adopted child, choose an international adoption service provider, and provide insight into any issues of eligibility for international adoption. We’ll also customize our services to meet the unique needs that may arise during an international adoption.

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Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technology

Dempsey Law is dedicated to helping individuals and couples build their families through the use of assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy.

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Adoption from Foster Care

The goal of foster care is to provide temporary care for children while their parents work to address issues that led to the child's removal. In some cases, reunification is not possible and the biological parent's rights may be terminated, making the child available for adoption. Foster parents who have formed a bond with the child may be able to adopt in these cases. Dempsey Law can help.

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Contested Adoption

If an adoption is being contested by a birth parent wishing to exercise their parental rights, we can help. During the adoption process, the court must determine whether the birth parent, or parents, must consent to the adoption. A contested adoption requires experienced counsel to protect your rights and ensure that the law is correctly applied.

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Birth Parent Representation

If you've made the decision to place your child through adoption, you should be informed and empowered to move forward with a plan that meets your expectations. An experienced adoption attorney can help you understand the various choices you are able to make. For example, you'll have an option to enter into an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption. We'll represent you though this sometimes difficult decision-making process.

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Re-Adoption

Re-adoption is the legal process to a foreign adoption recognized and domesticated in North Carolina. Sometimes re-adoption is necessary to allow the child to obtain US citizenship. Re-adoption also allows a child to have documents, including a birth certificate, issued by state officials. As opposed to relying on foreign documents that cannot be replicated easily, if at all. At Dempsey Law, we're experienced with both domestic and international adoptions, and we can help you decide if re-adoption is useful or necessary.

Learn more about our immigration and naturalization services at Dempsey Law PLLC.

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Immigration Services and Naturalization

If you are a parent who is looking to naturalize your foreign-born children, you may have a number of questions about the process and the different options available to you. Dempsey Law is here to help you navigate the process and achieve your goals.

Let’s Get Started

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