Child Adoption Questions Answered

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Most adults face the question from inquisitive relatives or friends regarding when, if ever, they intend to have children. Society expects that healthy adults propagate the species. It is Darwinism at its finest but some adults are faced with a conundrum when it comes to biologically reproducing a child from their own loins.

For some it is a matter of whether or not they are able to have a child. Some may not wish to be in a relationship just for the sole opportunity of being a parent. Some are in a same-sex relationship and do not wish to give birth. Others may feel that there are far too many unloved children in the world and that they would be adding to this problem by ignoring the children already in the world in favor of giving birth to a child.

Child adoption is a solution many adults are turning to when it comes time to have children. Recent tabloids have shown famous celebrities adopting children instead of procreating. Adoption is not an easy choice, nor is it an easy road to take but it is worth the journey. This is especially true if it saves a child's life. In this article we will address some of the more common questions that arise concerning adoption.

What is child adoption?

Child adoption begins when a child is given up by its biological parents, or orphaned, and placed in the care of the legal system. The system looks to outside adults to adopt the child as his or her own and care for them in a loving home environment. It is a legal means of taking an unwanted child and making them your own. There are many ways to adopt or procure a child of different age groups. Some parents want to adopt newborn babies while others may not have a preference in age.

Can I adopt from other countries?

Yes, it is possible to adopt from foreign countries but you must know the laws concerning child adoption. The laws do not just apply to the country in which you want to adopt. They must also be followed for the country in which you are residing. You will have to go through an adoption agency or use an attorney who specializes in adoption in foreign countries. You should plan for there to be a lengthy waiting period and adoption process before the child adoption is complete. It will also be expensive as most foreign countries will require you make a certain number of visits before allowing the child to leave the border.

What are some of the laws that I must know before adopting a child from a foreign country?

Laws regarding child adoption vary by country so this is a hard question to answer without listing every country's adoption process. Some countries do not allow a foreigner to adopt a native. Some will only allow a child to be adopted by a married couple. You must hire an adoption agency or an attorney that specializes in foreign adoptions in order to know the full extent of the laws for each country. A note of caution: be very wary of any agency or attorney that guarantees a very short waiting time or demands higher than normal fees for the adoption. Illegal adoptions are very common practices where babies and children are the brokered commodity. The children are stolen from their parents and then sold on the black market to the highest bidder. Many parents do not realize this until the Federal government steps in and the child is taken back. Always do a thorough background search on the agency or attorney you are working with.

Should I be a foster parent before adopting?

If you are looking to adopt a child from a foreign country you will not have this option of fostering the child before deciding to adopt. In the United States there is a great shortage of foster parents and an overabundance of children in the foster system. Being a foster parent takes a special person because there will be special needs children placed in the home at times. Is it a good idea to try parenting out before adopting? Yes and no. Most first time parents do not have a "trial" run before having children so you do not need to test-run the parenting process before signing up to be a parent. Children in the foster system often come from broken homes where abuse may have run rampant. These circumstances can often cause psychological and physical damage to the child. The foster parent must be trained to deal with these issues.

What happens if the natural parent(s) later want the child back?

In a perfect world there would be no need for adoption because every child would have parents who loved them and were living. This is not a perfect world nor is it even close to being one. There have been cases where a child was put up for adoption, and even living with the adoptive parents for many years, when the biological parent(s) decide they want the child back. In instances where the biological mother signed her rights away and placed the child up for adoption citing that she did not know who the biological father was, only to have the father reappear at a later date demanding custody be turned over to him, the law has been forced to side with the biological father. This is a very real fear for parents looking to adopt from their home residence. Many adults feel that by adopting a child from a foreign country that the risk is considerably less of the biological family demanding the child be returned.

Must both biological parents sign away their rights in order for me to adopt the child?

Legally both biological parents must sign away their rights or have the state terminate their rights as parents. In the case where the mother does not know who the birth father is, it can be a legally frustrating time in which the adoptive parents must wait for a determined amount of time for the birth father to claim his parental rights. Many adoption laws now contain contingencies that limit the amount of time the birth parents have before reclaiming their child. Some adoptions now include the rights of the birth parents to visit the child on a pre-determined basis much like custody agreements.

I am a single parent. Can I adopt?

Many single adults are considering adoption as their option for having a child of their own but the law can be difficult if there is a single parent household. Some states do not allow single adults to adopt but those laws are changing. It can be more difficult to adopt but that does not mean it is impossible. The same living situation and financial obligations apply so that the parent has the means and emotional capabilities for providing for a child. Some countries do not allow their children to be adopted by foreign single men and women so it is essential to have an adoption attorney that is very familiar with state and foreign law regarding adoption.

What are the laws for same sex couples who wish to adopt?

Same sex couples face many difficulties when choosing to adopt. They face not only the fact that many states do not recognize same sex unions but also have adoption laws barring same sex couples from adopting. The same laws often apply to same sex couples looking to adopt children from a foreign country. Many same sex couples elect to adopt a child by having one parent adopt and then later the second partner adopting that same child. It can seem confusing but is essentially the same as one partner giving birth and the other partner then adopting the child. States such as Utah and Florida have the toughest adoption laws for single and same sex couples.

Are there financial guidelines that must be met in order to adopt?

There is not any clear cut income that must be met in order to adopt. Adoption is a very expensive procedure in itself so most agencies feel that if the couple or person is able to afford the adoption process, they will be able to provide for the child. If a person is on government assistance, in this case, they will most likely be turned down for the reason that they are unable to provide for themselves, let alone the added expense of a child.

What can I expect the expenses to be for adoption?

Adoption can be a very expensive process. The fees for attorneys can range from a $2,000 upwards of $50,000. If you are adopting from a foreign country there are additional fees charged by the government, adoption agency and other miscellaneous fees such as passports and airfare. In addition, many countries stipulate that the adoptive parents stay or visit their country a set amount of time before allowing the child to leave the borders.

How long is the adoption process?

This is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many variables that can effect how long it actually takes to finalize the adoption process. If the birth parents have signed away their rights and the adoptive parents have met all the requirements and studies, the adoption process can take weeks. If there are problems locating one of the birth parents or the child is from a foreign country, the adoption process can take months to finalize.

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