November is National Adoption Month, which might prompt you to start thinking more seriously about making an addition to your family. Adopting a child is a wonderful decision, but you may not know how to get started.
Adoption is complex and has many different elements and steps. Here is a short guide on how to navigate the beginning of adoption process:
Research
Doing solid research is a good way to begin your journey in adoption. One should consider the different adoption agencies to work with, as well as the cost and the laws that are a factor in our decision and ability to adopt.
You should also do some research about the type of adoption you want to pursue. You can choose a public, private or independent adoption. There is also the option to adopt domestically, internationally, through foster care, or from state to state. All of these choices have their own merits, systems and processes.
Preparation
Next, you will want to get your family and your home ready for an evaluation. The adoption process involves a close investigation including a home inspection and interviews. If you are planning on adopting an infant, you should begin to prepare your home for a baby. You will also want to make sure your family is informed about the process, not only for the interviews, but so you can make sure they understand what is happening when the evaluation begins.
There are also parenting classes and pre-adoptive training courses you can take in order to prepare yourself. Talking to other families who have adopted, as well as experienced family law lawyers, can also help you prepare for the process.
These are just a few steps you will want to take in beginning the adoption process. The whole experience may seem overwhelming, but it is well worth it.
If you have further questions regarding adoption, do not hesitiate to contact our attorneys. We are here to help.
