Guiding Heart; "Adoption Consulting Services"
You do have certain rights...
If you are considering placing your baby in an adoptive home,
you are entitled to certain rights, some of which are guaranteed to
you by law. This “Birth Parent Bill of Rights” is for your knowledge and education.
The "rights" listed below should be absolutely provided to you by the adoption resource you are working with.
A B i r t h P a r e n t ’s B i l l o f R i g h t s
Review all the options and make the best plan for you and your
baby.
1. You should be able to come back for counseling or to supply
updated information at anytime. An established agency
understands adoption is a life-long process and not a spur of the
moment decision.
2. You have a right to choose your baby’s adoptive parents. You should be presented with several families to choose from.
3. If you are responding to an advertisement, you should talk
with the family. There is certain information you should ask.
5. You should consider meeting the family and this should be an
option.
6. You have the right to a safe, legal, efficient process.
7. You should be able to review and familiarize yourself with all
related documents and papers ahead of time, and you have the
right to keep copies of anything you sign.
6. You have the right to peace of mind. Every prospective
adoptive family should be pre-screened to be sure they will
provide your baby with an excellent and loving home.
7. A licensed agency prepares a thorough home study report
detailing the family’s work history, physical and emotional health,
financial situation and personal history. In some states you have the right to read the home study. It never hurts to ask.
8. You have the right to choose ongoing communication with the
adoptive family including; exchange of pictures and letters,phone calls, videos/DVD and possibly visits.
9. You have the right to be free from pressure. This is an
important decision and you need time to make it. Your adoption
counselor should assist you in planning for your child’s future, not
insist that you make up your mind before the baby’s birth,or even immediately afterwards.
10. You have the right to total confidentiality. Even if you are a
minor, placing a child for adoption is your decision alone and it
should be respected.
11. You have the right to get help with medical and other
pregnancy-related expenses as each state law allows.
12. If you don’t have health insurance or aren’t eligible for
Medicaid, your medical fees, including those of private doctors,
should be paid for by either the adoption agency/resource or by the
adoptive family.
13. Adoption agencies may be able to help you find temporary
housing during your pregnancy if you need it. This too is based on the laws in the state where you live.
14. You have the right to be put in touch with other women who
have placed their babies in adoptive homes.
15. Before making a decision, or afterwards, you may wish to
speak with someone who has placed a child for adoption. This my help you to understand your own feelings.
16. You have the right to counseling. A trained and impartial
social worker familiar with adoption should be available to you
What information do you need about the birth father?
All of the information available. This information will be
important to the child in the future. Whether you are working
with an agency or not. Any and all Background and Genetic
information will be needed. If you and the birth father are together
or still friendly, he can fill out his part of the Background and Genetic Information. It is very important.
The adoptive family will need to know the genetic health history of his side of the family. They will want to know all of the things about him. The same information as you; favorite foods, hobbies, music, education level, likes, dislikes, etc. This information will be very valuable to them as they parent your child.
If the birth father will not complete his part of the form, you can
complete it as fully as possible for him. Not all birth fathers are willing to give this information, so work with him to get as much of it as possible. Your child’s health and well being depend on having as much of the birth father's information as possible.
What if the birth father won’t agree to the adoption?
Every attempt must be made to contact the birth father and offer counseling about his child’s future and the mother’s plan of adoption.
Most of the time, the birth father cooperates with the agency and
allows the mother to proceed with the adoption. In many cases,
both the birth mother and the birth father plan for their child’s
adoption plan together. Both birth mother and birth father meet and develop a relationship with the adoptive family. This only enhances
your child’s future as well as helps you and the birth father to feel
good about your choice.
Does he have to sign a relinquishment, too?
This will depend on the state the birth father lives in and the
state of the adoption.
If you and the birth father are legally married,
In most states if you are married to the birth father's, his rights will have to be terminated.
If you are married and he is not the birth father?
Your huband is the "presumed" or "legal father" and his rights
will need to be addressed for the adoption to be legally sound. It is
not uncommon for this to be the case. Most "legal fathers" who are
not the birth father usually have no problem signing the appropriate
documents.
The legal father is considered responsible for the child and could be
court ordered to pay child support if he does not sign the
relinquishment papers.
If you are not married to anyone including the birth father?
Depending on the state the adoption is completed in or the state
where the birth father lives, he could be asked to sign some sort of a waiver of interest of his parental rights’ for the child.
What if the birth father won’t cooperate with my
plan to place my child for adoption?
If the father does not cooperate, there are legal avenues that must be followed if the birth mother decides to continue with the adoption plan. If it is determined the father will upset the process, the mother is counseled about her alternatives. The decision whether or not to continue with the process is always made by the birth mother.
When do I have to sign the adoption papers?
This time frame will vary depending on the state laws where you live. Every state is different,but the most common time frame is between 24 and 72 hours.
Can I change my mind after I sign the papers?
This to will depend on the state you live in. In some states the documents will be irrevocable, which means you will NOT be able to change your mind once the documents are executed. Ask your adoption counselor or attorney.
702-217-0709 or Email: jo@guidinghearts.com