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Whether you’re stepping in to care for a child or finalizing an adoption, legal guardianship and adoption are powerful acts of love—and important legal decisions. At Colbath & Sperlich, we guide families across Rapid City and Western South Dakota through the legal process with care, clarity, and a commitment to long-term security.
When your family’s future is at stake, we make sure the law supports your intentions.
You focus on what matters most: caring for your loved one. Let Colbath & Sperlich handle the legal side with the care, experience, and professionalism your family deserves.
In guardianship cases, the court must approve the arrangement based on the best interests of the person involved—whether it’s a minor or an incapacitated adult. We help you present a strong case showing your ability to provide safe, stable care, and we assist with temporary, emergency, or long-term guardianships.
In adoption cases, legal parental rights are permanently transferred—requiring background checks, home studies (in some cases), and formal court approval. Whether you’re a stepparent, grandparent, or a family adopting through an agency, we help you avoid delays and protect the outcome.
Both processes are deeply personal—and legally complex. We provide trusted guidance and legal efficiency from start to finish.
We explain every step clearly, so you always know what’s next. Our goal is to make the process understandable and stress-free.
We tailor every guardianship or adoption strategy to your goals. Your family’s needs guide every legal decision we make.
We analyze every case with a detailed and results-driven strategy, ensuring the best possible legal solutions.
Simple answers for growing and protecting your family legally.
Guardianship grants legal responsibility without ending parental rights—adoption permanently transfers parental rights.
Relatives, close family friends, or other responsible adults can petition for guardianship if it’s in the person’s best interest.
It varies—stepparent adoptions may take a few months, while agency or contested adoptions can take longer.
Yes—these legal processes involve strict court procedures, filings, and hearings that require careful attention.
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Proudly serving Rapid City and Western South Dakota with trusted legal expertise in criminal defense and family law for over 40 years.
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