In March 2019, the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic successfully assisted an Army Officer in the adoption of the Officer’s two minor children by his current wife. M-VETS drafted all pleadings, orders, and affidavits necessary to complete the stepparent adoption as well as assisted the family in obtaining the required background check for the stepmother, now a mandatory requirement in Virginia stepparent adoptions.

“The process was perfectly handled by M-VETS and turned out to be a quick/painless process. Communication and oversight by Casey was excellent,” mentioned the Officer.

Student Advisor Casey Hunt worked on the matter from the initial intake assessment to drafting all necessary pleadings, orders and administrative forms to finalize the adoption. In doing so, she worked closely with the family to ensure that the adoption proceeded smoothly and efficiently.

“Stepparent adoptions are a wonderful service provided by the clinic and allow our students to gain practical experience drafting pleadings and other documents while helping a family become whole,” said M-VETS Deputy Director Leigh Winstead. “Casey did an outstanding job on this matter, finalizing what is usually a lengthy process in a very timely manner,” Winstead said.

M-VETS assists veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents in a variety of civil matters, including uncontested divorces, landlord/tenant matters, consumer protection and contract disputes, as well as in military/VA administrative matters, including MEB/PEBs, discharge upgrades, and VA disability compensation appeals.