Adoption Process

Adoption: The Process

Adoption is metamorphosing into a radical new process that is both sweeping the nation and changing it. But this process is not an easy one, there are many steps to go through. Through research it is made a lot easier. Adoption is a also a highly visible example of a social institution that has benefits from and been reshaped by both the Internet and the exponential growth of alternative lifestyles, from single to transracial to gay. It is accelerating our transformation into a more multicultural society; even as it helps redefine out understanding of "family." The process includes three main steps including a type of adoption, the techniques for location a baby for adoption, arranging a successful adoption, the steps at the hospital, and lastly the legal issues in adoption.

There are many types of adoption in California, more then any other in the country. The reasonable amount of time it takes to adopt a child is about a year. "Independent adoption is an alternative to agency adoption and is the means by approximately 85 percent of all newborns are adopted in California. Since that is the most popular that is the type that I am going to concentrate. The reason that it is the most popular is because of four factors. The first is because the independent agency is flexible, secondly it allows the birth mother to personally meet and select adoptive parents, thirdly it allows the adoptive parents to quickly locate the birth mother rather

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then waiting several years for the agency to do it for them, and lastly the child can be placed in the home of the adoptive parents immediately after birth instead of waiting in a foster home. By law the birth mother must personally place the child with the adoptive parents. That does not mean she has to do it physically it just means she must personally select them. The birth mother is permitted to release her child into the adoptive parents custody as soon as the hospital discharges the baby, usually 2-3 days old. Generally when the child is six-eight months old the adoptive parents can go to court to permanently finalize the process. A new birth certificate is prepared after the adoption is granted by the court. Independent adoption fees and costs can vary dramatically. Most adoption attorneys charge between 3,000 to 4,000. The adoption attorney is assisting the adoptive parents in quickly locating a birthmother, obtains background and health information about birth parents, examines the case for potential legal or practical difficulties, and prepares the necessary legal documents and appears in court when necessary.

The techniques of finding a baby for adoption through an independent agency. First thing that needs to be done is to select and adoption attorney. Things to consider when choosing an attorney is remember like all professionals there are good ones and there are bad ones. Consider the quality of their service, depth of their knowledge, and fairness of their fees. The following groups and individuals can provide you with important insight and inside information regarding finding an attorney. The independent adoption social services offices the office is assigned to you is based upon what county

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you live in, public adoption agencies but they have little relation to independent adoption, private adoption agencies which will have knowledge of local attorneys, physicians may be familiar with adoption attorneys in their community, and adoptive parent associations this is an association formed by adoptive parents which they share information about adoption. Networking is important it refers to "getting the word out" to make as many people aware that you are interested in adopting. When done correctly, it can work effectively. A photo-resume letter is a way to network to birth mothers. This should be done in no formula because you want the birth mother to know you. The letter should be about one page long, you need to include a picture, explain why you are pursuing to adopt, brief description of yourself, and another tip is to hand sign each letter.

Arranging a successful