Common Questions Answered
Common Questions Answered
Yes, absolutely. You can even choose to meet them and spend time with them so that you can get to know them and learn about the future that is available for your child.
At any time during your pregnancy, while you are in the hospital, or even after you go home. Only you know when it is the right time to make that decision. There is nothing wrong with bringing your baby home and then realizing that you are not able to provide as you had hoped. Sometimes, you might have thought that you would have had more family support and find that those you thought could help you are no longer able to do so.
No. Private placement adoption is intended to keep your child out of the foster care system. You have a constitutional right as a parent to make a parenting plan for your child. Your child will be directly placed with the prospective adoptive parent.
No, you are not being selfish. You’re being just the opposite – unselfish. A mom who is unselfish creates an adoption plan and places her child’s best interest above her own.
No, you do not. Any document that you sign pre-birth cannot terminate your parental rights. You cannot sign any document that terminates your parental rights until 48 hours after the birth of your child or the day you are being medically discharged from the hospital or birthing center.
You should first be certain that they have been assessed and approved to adopt through a home study process. Otherwise, you won’t know if they can provide for your child or if their home is a safe place to raise a child. If you’re not comfortable asking the family for the verification of their home study approval, we can do that for you.
Pursuant to Florida law, a birth mother is entitled to reasonable living and medical expenses if she is unemployed, underemployed or disabled. This is your statutory right. All Florida adoption entities are required to have the court approve these expenses.
All families must be approved to adopt through the home study process. The family must undergo counseling and various screenings to be approved for a private placement adoption. This home study process includes FBI checks, state criminal checks, child abuse clearances, medical examinations, home inspections, examinations of financial records and multiple recommendations. This can be a time consuming and expensive process for prospective adoptive families and only those that can meet the standards are approved. This ensures that all children are placed in stable, safe and loving homes.
Additionally, if you choose to have contact after placement with the adoptive family, you will be able to receive letters and pictures that will show you the love and care the child is being provided.
The role of the baby’s father depends on the facts of your case. Many fathers want to be involved in the adoption of the child and they can sign documents prebirth that allow you to make your adoption plan. If a father chooses not to cooperate with your intent to place for adoption, that also can be resolved many times so that you can still do an adoption placement. In some cases, a possible biological father’s consent may not even be needed. Each case needs to be evaluated individually to discern what rights he may have, if any. There are legal steps that we will take that protect you and your child. This does not need to be a confrontational process. While emotions can run high, there is a respectful and legal way of resolving the issue.
Yes. If you are unable to identify a possible biological father by the date that you sign your consent for adoption, you can still place your child for adoption. The father’s identity will be reported to the court as unknown. A possible unmarried biological father, by virtue of the fact that he has engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman, is deemed to be on notice that pregnancy and an adoption proceeding may occur.
No. If a child is conceived as a result of a violation of the criminal laws of this state or another state or country, there is no requirement to give notice to the possible biological father or require his consent for the adoption.
You certainly can, and often the adoptive parents will send the same to you.
A closed adoption means that you do not want any level of communication with the prospective adoptive parents.
A semi open adoption means that there is a level of openness that allows you and the prospective adoptive parents to get to know each other. You may choose to spend time together prebirth, share hospital care taking of the child and post birth communication. Post birth communication can include letters and photos and sometimes visits for a certain number of years. This can be accomplished through Adopt Swap or other mediums of communication that we will offer you. This is the most common type of adoption practice because it respects a level of privacy while maintaining relationships.
An open adoption is when there is no level of privacy because the contact between the birth parent and the prospective adoptive parent is directly between the two sides.
The openness of an adoption is based upon trust and respect. Every case needs to be treated individually. Open adoptions can be a positive experience with guidelines in place.
That is entirely up to you. The adoptive parents can be at the hospital and even in the delivery room if you allow them. You can allow them to care for the baby, you can do it yourself, or you can all do it together. The baby can stay in your room, their room, or the nursery. One thing to consider is that it is often good for the baby to start bonding with the adoptive parents that first day or two, and it is often reassuring for you to see them with the baby — to see the love and adoration on their faces. However, if you want the baby to yourself for that time, that is totally fine too. Again, it is all up to you!
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