Adoption FAQs
What is adoption?
Adoption occurs when an adult
becomes the legal parent of a child who is not biologically his own. Adoptive
parents accept full custody and become responsible for all child support costs
and obligations. In addition, the adopted child is in turn granted all
inheritance rights. When an adoption is finalized, the biological parents
terminate their parental rights; however, in some instances birthparents
request (and are awarded) legal contracts that guarantee them retention of some
of those rights. In cases of stepparent adoption, only the noncustodial
parent (the parent who does not have custody) forfeits his parental rights.
What steps does the adoption process
involve?First, prospective adoptive parents must
decide which type of
adoption is best for them—the options include agency, relative
(including stepparent), international, and independent adoption. They should
also be aware that most states impose different pre-adoption requirements for
most types of adoptions. After deciding on a specific type of adoption,
adoptive parents should prepare for a home study investigation, which is
conducted by the agency or group handling the adoption. The home study is
treated as an investigation of prospective parents’ physical and mental health,
marital and financial stability, criminal history, and general lifestyle
habits, and it is also regarded as an informational session during which they
can learn more about the child they might adopt. The social worker or agency
representative then answers any questions raised about the adoption process or
the child.
Every type
of adoption has its own requirements—including waiting periods, paperwork, and
rules or standards—as well as its own costs. Prospective parents are encouraged
to learn about their chosen type of adoption’s process before choosing a child
to adopt.
Can I still adopt if my home study
returns unfavorable results?
If you
receive a negative home study evaluation that labels you unfit to adopt, you
may contest it. However, appeal processes vary from state to state, so adoptive
parents should research their states’ policies.
.
What are the different types of
adoption?
The
different types of
adoption include agency adoption, identified (private) adoption,
independent adoption, international adoption, and relative adoption.
What is an agency adoption?
An agency
adoption (which may be public or private) places wards of the state, or foster
care children, in permanent homes. Additionally, newborns or babies of
expectant mothers may also be placed through agency adoption. Both public and
private agencies specialize in finding homes for bi-racial, international, and
special-needs children of all ages.
What is a non-agency or independent
adoption?
An
independent (private) adoption places a child in a family without the help of
an agency. In most cases an intermediary, such as a clergyman or doctor, is
used or a direct arrangement is established between birthparents and adoptive
parents. Hiring a lawyer to handle all the legal aspects of adoption—including
the explanation of all rights to all parties involved—is an absolute necessity
in all situations. In some states, independent adoptions are carefully regulated
or even prohibited to protect the child, the birthparents, and the adoptive
parents.
What is an identified adoption?
An
identified adoption, also called a parent-initiated adoption, helps
birthparents and adoptive parents to find one another. They then use an
adoption agency, another authorized group, or an individual to finalize the
adoption.
What is a relative adoption?
Relative
adoption includes any adoption in which a child is related to his adoptive
parents by blood or marriage. The most prevalent type of relative adoption is
stepparent adoption, in which a parent’s spouse adopts the child and the other
birthparent terminates all parental rights. Next most common is grandparent
adoption, in which a child’s grandparent or grandparents may adopt him if his
parents die while he is still a minor.
What is an international adoption?
International
adoption permits prospective adoptive parents to adopt children from foreign
countries. Adoptive parents must secure an immigrant visa for their adopted
child through the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and meet all
requirements proposed. Such requirements include meeting age limitations, a
favorable home study evaluation, and the completion of any and all relevant
forms or paperwork. Adoptive parents must pay all expenses—including those
incurred to fly to pick up and bring back the child. Lastly, because it is not
granted automatically,