Choosing The Right Adoption Agency in Jacksonville

If you find yourself having to navigate an unplanned pregnancy in the Jacksonville-area, adoption is certainly an option. But you might be wondering, whether it’s best to work with an adoption agency in Jacksonville or a more established Florida adoption attorney. While there is no right answer to this, there are some key differences that may help you decide which path is right for you. Let’s break them down here. 

Confidentiality + Legal Advice:

Regardless of whether you’re working with an adoption agency in Jacksonville or an adoption attorney, they’re both ethically bound to provide quality services to each expectant mother that walks through their door. However, Florida adoption attorneys often provide more sound and consistent legal advice than adoption agencies. The reason being is that adoption agencies usually require an outside attorney. Adoption attorneys, however, already know and understand the legal side and are more readily available to help with that aspect of the process. 

Choosing the Right Adoptive Family:

Adoption attorneys tend to cast the broadest net possible when trying to help an expectant birth mother find the perfect adoptive family for their baby. They utilize nationwide networks and accommodate a larger array of personal preferences regarding the adoptive family. 

In contrast, an adoption agency in Jacksonville may limit an expectant birth mother’s options to the waiting adoptive families that are currently on their list. The reason for this is because hopeful adoptive families pay large upfront fees to the adoption agency, and therefore the agency is more likely to feel pressure to reduce their overall waiting time.

Expectant Birth Mother Autonomy:

When working with an adoption agency in Jacksonville, an expectant birth mother may be required to follow a rather strict set of rules and routines. This can result in her being more reliant on the adoption agency they’re working with to place their baby. One good example of this is how some adoption agencies require that an agency employee escort the expectant mother to prenatal appointments. Other adoption agencies require that the expectant mother live in a certain place during her pregnancy or follow a particular schedule that may clash with her ability to work or attend classes. 

Adoption attorneys tend to provide an expectant birth mother with MUCH more autonomy. They provide recommendations and resources, plus many years of experience in adoption and family law. But they also provide birth mother support and assistance, as needed and as permissible by law. For the most part, an adoption attorney allows the expectant mother to lead her own life. She’s allowed to make the choices that she feels are best for her and her baby. 

Expectant Mother Service and Support:

If you choose to work with an adoption agency in Jacksonville, you may find yourself working with a case worker who is overwhelmed with a large caseload. You see, many adoption agencies are quite large. Therefore, they may have one case worker working with multiple expectant birth mothers at one time. Given the size of the agency, the case work may also have restricted decision-making privileges. Working within a large bureaucracy may lead to longer wait times for financial assistance or access to needed services.

Adoption attorneys, however, work directly with the expectant birth mother. They are more able to respond to needs and concerns in real-time. Adoption attorneys also work with a much smaller roster of expectant birth mothers. They tend to provide a more warm, personalized experience, along with better legal expertise.

Need an Adoption Agency in Jacksonville?

If you’re pregnant in Jacksonville, adoption is an option available to you. The Law Offices of Berkowitz & White PLLC works with women throughout the Jacksonville-area. We would be happy to sit down and speak with you about all of your pregnancy options. If adoption is something you want to learn more about, we can walk you through the adoption process. 

Call us today at (877) 777-5070

Text: (561) 841-3065 or (850) 610-4166. 

Connect with us on Facebook + Instagram