The way the Adoption Process for Birth Mothers Works: If asked to think about adoption, a lot of women that are faced with an unplanned pregnancy usually start with “I could never give up my baby!” That’s usually because in the “old days” a lot of women seemed excluded from the adoption process, with no control over what is going to happen to their child. In present days adoptions, you can choose what happens through each phase of the process, including your child’s parents, area of the country in which they can be raised, and even their spiritual life. You decide the future you are going to want for your baby.
Why Do Women Decide on Adoption?
- They are not ready to be a mother
- They can’t depend on support from the child’s father
- Unable to afford another child
- Planning to attend college
- Want for a two-parent family
- Because of rape or incest
- Previous involvement with CPS or drug abuse
The choice of adoption can be very satisfying for you, the baby, and the adoptive couple. It is wise to get a hold of an adoption agency and make enquiries. You are going to want to know what your specific choices are and what to expect during the process. Various portions of the process vary from state to state, so make sure to research the laws in your state.
The initial steps of the adoption process are below:
- Decide on the kind of adoption (closed, semi-open, open)
- Choose an agency, attorney, or mediator
- Review potential adoptive families (maybe meet and interview them)
- Decide on an adoptive family, wait for their approval, and sign consent and/or intent for adoption paperwork
- Deliver your baby and sign termination and/o relinquishment of parental rights forms (24-48 hours following birth, dependent on state)
What is the initial step in the adoption process?
You are going to need to choose whether to place your baby up for adoption using a privatized or public agency. As you go over your options, you are going to find there are pros and cons to each, so take a moment and be comprehensive in your research. You may want to think about Lifetime Adoption that specializes in offering adoption services in the US; and Bethany Christian Services offers services in the US and globally.
What should I anticipate when I go to the adoption agency?
The agency is going to meet with you to assist you in sorting through your choices for adoption and assisting you in deciding if adoption is appropriate for you. They are going to discuss your reasoning for seeking adoption, request for a comprehensive medical history (and is going to keep up on tests throughout your pregnancy) and establish your preferences in terms of an adoptive family. They are also going to discuss how the process is going to be paid for and what the contracts and/or agreements are going to be like.
How much is an adoption going to cost me/is it free?
Possibly, you are not going to have to pay for most of your own expenses. Usually, it is the adopting family or financial aid from the agency that is going to pay your medical bills. You’ll need to discuss this specifically with whichever agency or adoption professional you decide on. Financial assistance might include legal fees, living costs, medical bills, counseling costs, etc.
What if the birth father is opposed to adoption?
If the biological father is opposed to going through with the adoption but the biological mother does, he is required to register with your state’s Putative Father Registry (names may differ by state) anytime throughout the pregnancy or five to thirty days (subject to the state) following the birth. He is required to then file a formal written protest to the adoption and present an optional parenting plan in court. He is going to need an attorney for this, and there is no guarantee he will be successful.
I’m a minor. Are my parents going to have to sign off on the adoption?
In a lot of states, the answer to that question is no. In those states, your parents are unable to prevent the adoption from happening, though if they wanted and you consent, they could choose to adopt your child. They, nevertheless, must go through the same process as other potential parents. Verify your state’s laws.
How long does it take to choose or match with an adoptive family?
It is subject to the adoptive parent applications accessible to you and when your chosen family consents. For closed adoptions or assisted adoptions search, it is subject to how long it takes for the adoption agency to locate an ideal match for you and your baby.
When is the adoption finalized?
Following your parental rights being concluded and the child is in the adoptive family’s home for around six months, a social worker is going to submit an endorsement for approval. A judge is then going to complete the adoption by granting the adoptive parents all legal rights and obligations. This is referred to as a final decree of adoption. At what point do I sign the termination of parental rights documents? Though it differs from state to state, it can occur no sooner than forty-eight to seventy-two hours following birth. Verify the laws in your state.
Can I change my mind concerning the adoption?
Absolutely, but only up to a certain point. You can try to withdraw consent prior to the interlocutory order (around thirty to forty-five days following the child being placed in the home) or prior to the final decree of adoption (around six months following the child being placed in the home). Nevertheless, you would be required to provide substantial evidence that the child’s best interests have changed. These endeavors almost never end in success.
Source:
-
The adoption process for birth parents. American Pregnancy Association. (2021, December 9). Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://americanpregnancy.org/child-adoption/adoption-process-for-birth-parents/
