3 Things You Need To Know About Legally Adopting A Baby
Adoption can be a beautiful thing that can bless both the lives of the birth family, the child, and the adoptive family. Many parents have increased their family through adoption and have had positive experiences in the process. However, in some cases, adoption can be stressful for legal reasons. This is why you should always have a family lawyer that you consult and hire before going through an adoption. Here are some things you need to know to prepare yourself for the process.
1. The Biological Parent Must Give Up Parental Rights Before Anything Can Start Happening
One of the first steps in adoption is the biological family terminating their parental rights. If you are dealing with the adoption of a newborn, the biological parent will have time after the adoption to choose whether or not they will actually terminate their parental rights, even if they have already chosen an adoptive family, and are planning on placing the child. This can be hard for many couples because the baby could be placed with them, but until the biological parent actually signs the termination of rights, they could take back the baby. This is why it is best to wait until the parental rights have been terminated before making any lasting decisions.
2. There Will Be Preliminary Tests To See If The Adoptive Parents Are Fit For Parenthood
Before you can even get a child placed in your home, you will need to undergo tests to ensure that you are fit to have a baby in your home. There will be home visits, psychological assessments, and paperwork that must be done before the baby can be placed in your home. This process can take a good deal of time, which is why you should get the paperwork done as quickly as possible so that you are prepared legally for the child if you should be chosen by a birth mother.
3. There Will Be A Lag Between Legal Adoption and Placement
Assume that a newborn has been placed in your home. The parent has already terminated their parental rights and you have been given the child. However, even after this happens, there will still be a lag in time between the child being placed and you legally adopting the child. In some cases it will take months before you can legally adopt, which is why you should be meeting with a lawyer during this time to make sure that everything is legally sound.
By understanding the process of adoption you can be prepared legally and emotionally. For more information, contact a firm such as Healy and Svoren Attorneys at Law.
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