Find an Adoption Attorney You Can Trust
Adopting a child is a personal decision for couples – married or unmarried – and the process can vary a bit by each state. So finding an adoption attorney that will work for your highest good is imperative.
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 was signed into law to: ‘to improve the safety of children, to promote adoption and other permanent homes for children who need them, and to support families‘ and is the law that keeps the process streamlined, private and safe for all involved. Since 1997, there have been more adoptions from foster care than ever before. There is more than one way to adopt a child in the United States. Here are 4 different types of adoptions.
- Domestic Infant Adoption: Happens outside the Foster Care system, where a U.S. child is adopted by a U.S. parent. It is facilitated through an adoption agency that both the biological parent and adopting parent(s) are working through.
- Foster Care Adoption: Happens within the Foster Care system and generally means a child who has been fostered by a family is then adopted by that family.
- Relative Step-Parent and Independent: Happens when the mother of the child knows or is related to the prospective adopting parents.
- Private: Happens when future parents use and agency to working individually and privately with a mother who wants to put her child up for adoption.
Types of Adoption
As you may or may not know, where is more than one way to adopt a child in the United States. Here are just 4 different types of adoptions.
- Domestic Infant Adoption: Done outside the Foster Care system, where a U.S. child is adopted by a U.S. parent. It is facilitated through an adoption agency that both the biological parent and adopting parent(s) are working through.
- Foster Care Adoption: Done within the Foster Care system and generally means a child who has been fostered by a family is then adopted by that family.
- Relative Step-Parent and Independent: When the mother of the child knows or is related to the prospective adopting parents.
- Private Adoption: This is done when future parents use an agency to work privately with a mother who wants to put her child up for adoption. Future parents can also work directly with a mother, although this scenario is not typically advised.
The Adoption Process
Each state has its own specific adoption criteria, so it’s always best to check what the protocols are in your specific area of the country. These 6 steps are just a general roadmap for your journey.
- Educate Yourself – Learn about the types of adoption, the timeline it takes, and the investment in the overall process.
- Explore Options – There are a few avenues by which you can adopt as show above, so determine the way that best suits your needs.
- Research – Once you’ve decided on your path, do your homework. There are online assessments and adoption agency reviews that will help guide you.
- Engage in the Process – Starting completing the application paperwork, attend adoptive parent classes, and being the Home Study testing.
- Bond with your Child – Get to know your child before you bring them home. Spend time engaging and interacting with them so they get to know you and you them.
- Finalize Adoption – Once all paperwork has been approved, it’s time to bring your child home and begin your life’s adventure with them.
Why You Need an Adoption Attorney if You Get Divorced
In the unfortunate scenario of a divorce of parents of an adopted child, the legal process isn’t much different from that of a biological child. All rights and responsibilities remain in force. Either parent could get full custody, or they could share joint custody. Many times, each parent maintains legal guardianship over the child. Child support and other legalities are all finalized through standard court proceedings.
Adopting can lead to a very fulfilling life for all involved, but it’s important to make sure you know the ins and outs to avoid any issues. Get the appropriate legal guidance to make sure all goes well today.
