Question regarding adoption?

Question

My husband and I have met a couple that want to place their child up for adoption... They would like us to adopt their child. The woman is 4 mts pregnant.. I know we need to get a lawyer but then what. Anyone know how it works? Also, if the biological parents are placing the child with us will we still need a Home Study done? and also Will we get to take the baby home from the hospital ?

Answer 1

Every state is different. Wisconsin requires homestudies for ALL adoptions And becoming foster care certified is the first step and required to even take the child home with you legally.  Definitely contact a lawyer now that knows about adoption law as it may take a few months to get everything done.  Some states are more lenient.

Answer 2

I believe it is dependent on the states' requirements, but we adopted "privately" and needed to have a home study done.  We live in PA and were adopting from NJ.  Because of some of the issues that were involved, we chose to contact an adoption agency to process an "identified adoption" for us rather than to go through an attorney.  It was also cheaper for the bio-family this way as there were not costs associated with the agency for them, but there would have been if we had both obtained attorneys.  

As for being able to take the baby home from the hospital, I would think that as long as the paperwork is complete, you should be okay.  There is probably a "window" in your state that the bio-mom has to change her mind but that is typically a day or two in the case of newborn babies.  However, if you live out of state, you will most probably need to have an interstate compact form filed and receive approval to take the child across state lines.  We had this problem and we were not allowed to bring our child home into PA for one week (the process can typically take 2 weeks - a month from what I understand).

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

You want to meet with an adoption agency, too. You will have what they call a designated adoption. You are still required to have a home study if I remember correctly. I am almost positive that you will be able to take the baby from the hospital. I think that if the birth mother allows it, you can even be there for the birth. I think that there is then a 3 day window that the mother has to make the final choice. She has the right to change her mind at anytime during that time.

Good luck!

Answer 4

my parents have adopted 7 children, and each time things were different.  But their most recant was a private adoption, like what you are refering to.  I don't remember them mentioning a home study, but it would make since.  and yes they did get to take the baby home from the hospital.  The lawyer should be able to explain everything.  Let me know if you want the name of the lawyer that did my parents ppwk.

Answer 5

It depends on you, what all you want drawn up in your leagal work, and yes more than likely you will be able to take the baby home with you, just please keep in mind that no matter how much money you spend the bio-mom can change her mind at any time until now til the baby is born, but dont let this stop you, just pray and prepare your self incase she does

good luck and congrats on the new blessing!!!!!

Answer 6

Yes you should need a homestudy in most states.  It certainly doesnt hurt to have one and makes the judge and everyone else know you are serious.  I think there is an 800 number or a website that lists private individuals that do homestudys for each state.  

Get a lawyer and see what other papers you need to have in order.  May have to have a notary on standby for after she has the baby.  Most states have a time frame for the mom to think, reflect and or change her mind(and some do), but after that and if she has signed all the proper papers then you should be able to take the baby home.  This is where the good lawyer-one who has done it before comes in extremely helpful.  Dont scrimp here-regardless of how close you are to the birth mom, or what you think her intentions are-cover all bases!  Decide in advance and put it in writing, how open or closed this adoption will be.  Research agencies to see how they do it!  

A lawyer can also tell you what is legal in terms of cost.  You cant buy a baby, but I think you can pay for hospital expenses and maybe some living(rent, electric, support) expenses for the birth mom if needed.  you can find some of this on the internet and I think there is a website called lifetime adoptions or something close that has some answers for these questions.  (no I am not affiliated with them)

Best of luck to you all-Sheri

Answer 7

Our adoption was VERY similar to your situation. You will still need a homestudy even though they are placing the child with you. You usually do not need to go through an agency though, you can go through the state department of social services adoption branch. They take a little longer (but you will have the child the entire time anyways), but are typically far less expensive than an agency! Your best bet is to talk to an adoption attorney who can help you navigate through the legal maze surrounding adoption and help you make the best choices for your family's needs! And yes, you can take the baby home from the hospital! As long as you arrange that with the biological parents, you just have one simple from that releases the child to you for the purpose of adoption (my attorney gave me the paper and I filled it out myself)!  What an amazing miracle! Adoption is WONDERFUL!!!

Answer 8

The process depends on your state's laws and requirements.  Whether the child will go home with you also depends on your state.

You can contact an adoption attorney (definitely recommended) and he/she will be able to guide you through the process.

You'll almost certainly need to get a homestudy done.  You can contact an independent social worker (Google for social workers who do homestudies in your area), you could contact an agency & ask for "just homestudy" information, you could contact your state child welfare agency & see if they'll do a homestudy for you, too.  Lots of options here.  Again, your attorney will be able to guide you on who to call, etc.

Answer 9

Yes, you will need a home study. An adoption attorney should be able to advise you on what needs to be done. I would try to find one now so you know what the process is in the state the baby will be born.

All states have different laws. Find out what the custody laws are in your state. This will determine when you can take the baby home. It's likely that the actual finalization of the adoption will occur at a later date.

I strongly urge you to seek counseling for yourselves and the birth couple. I'm not aware of any state that allows relinquishment of parental rights before a birth. She's got 5 more months to go. There is likely to be a lot of mixed emotions between now and when the baby is born.

Bottom line is that the birth mother has to make sure she is making the right decision for her and the baby.

Good Luck

Answer 10

After you get a lawyer, there will be lots of paperwork to be done.  YOU DO NEED TO GET A HOME STUDY!!!  All adoptions need homestudies no matter how they are carried out.  You would not be able to legally adopt the baby if there is no homestuday.  If your home study is completed and all the priliminary paperwork is finished before the baby is born, you will be able to bring him/her home from the hospital.  

The baby will not be officially yours until AFTER BIRTH when the parents have to sign their parental rights over to you.    It is a very sticky situation...not impossible, but difficult!  

Many couples in the USA adopt this way, and they wouldn't do it any other way.  Get a good lawyer, do not scimp on money when you find your lawyer.  You will want to check into lawyers who are familiar with adoption, and particularily one who has done this type of adoption.  The lawyer that you choose is the difference between having your baby forever and having to give him or her up when Birth Mom comes back for him/her.  

I am not meaning to scare you, just help you to know that everything needs to be in order right away in order to be on target for birth.  You need to find someone to do your homestuday and get started right away.  Our homestudy took us about 4 1/2 months to be completed.  We do live in a small town and the case worker had to travel so it can move more quickly than that in some situations.  But background checks need to be done (through the homestuday) and you both will need a physical (wait until you talk to your case worker to get the paperwork a doctor needs to sign.)

Good luck, it can happen, you just need to be organized and on the ball!