Your adoptive parents will pay for an attorney. This is part of their overall adoption budget.
Tag: adoption
Can I change my mind about the adoption after I sign papers?
You may change your mind at any time prior to signing consent papers. See Consent to Adoption
After papers are signed, in private adoptions, you have 30 calendar days after signing the consent to change your mind.
However, if you signed a Waiver of the Right to Revoke Consent in front of a judge, your consent is immediately irrevocable, and you cannot change your mind.
If you signed a Waiver of the Right to Revoke Consent in front of an Adoption Service Provider , you can change your mind until the Waiver becomes final at the close of the next business day after signing.
How will an attorney help a birth mother?
Being pregnant and considering adoption is scary and overwhelming. Birth mothers have rights and options. Your lawyer will explain your rights and options to you.
Agency or independent?
For example, you can choose an agency adoption, or an independent (private) adoption. In a private adoption, you will get to select adoptive parents.
Open, Closed, Semi-Open?
An open adoption is where you select the adoptive family for your baby. There will be no secrecy, and as your baby grows, he/she will learn about their biological history.
Before you choose your adoptive parents, you will learn about their values, their faith, and the type of home your baby will grow up in. You can decide what type of contact you will have – you can have texts, pictures, letters or visits. Or you can choose to have minimal contact. We can help you draft a written agreement for any future contact, if any, you will have with the adoptive parents.
A majority of private adoptions are now open.
In a semi-open adoption, the birth mother and adoptive parents have contact during her pregnancy, and may even meet in person. However, after the adoption, they may share information through an intermediary (agency or attorney). Photographs and letters are often exchanged, but little to no identifying information is disclosed. In an semi-open adoption, privacy may be protected.
In a closed adoption, no contact informtaion is shared between the birth mother and adoptive parents. A closed adoption is the most protective of birth mother’s privacy.
You will decide which type of adoption you want.
Post-Adoption
The adoption journey does not end after placement. You have just done what seemed like the impossible. The healing may be instant; or it may take time. There are resources, we will help you.
Brave Love Post-Adoptive Resources
How Will an Attorney help birth mom?
Does the father of my baby have rights?
The rights of the baby’s father is dependent on several factors.
If You Are Married
In general, in California, if you are married to the father within 300 days of baby’s birth, and he objects, the only way the adoption can take place is if his parental rights are terminated. This is accomplished by filing a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights.
If You are NOT Married
If you are NOT married, you are still required to provide notice to them. However, the father will only be able to stop the adoption in one of these situations:
- The father has received the child into their home and have publicly acknowledged the child as their own.
- You and the birth father have both signed a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity to have them listed as the father on the baby’s birth certificate. (Hospital staff may present this form for you to sign at time of baby’s birth, but you are not required to do so, and should not sign if you are planning to place the baby for adoption.)
Unless they can meet at least one of the three requirements listed above, a biological father’s consent for adoption in California is not required.
If You Do Not Know Who the Father Is
If you do not know who the father is, or where he is – Don’t worry, this situation is common. Make sure you tell your attorney everything you know about who the possible father is so problems don’t arise in the future.
Do you work with birth moms outside of California?
Yes. We work with birth moms all over the United States.
Prior to birth, we can meet via Zoom, or depending where you are, I will meet you in person.
Then, you may give birth to your baby in your home state, and adoptive parents from California will travel to your state and be in the hospital with you while you give birth (depending on your adoption plan).
The expenses that your adoptive parents pay for must be acceptable by the law of your state. You will then sign consent papers, and the adoptive parents may not leave the state until both states have approved of the adoption. We may need to work with an attorney or agency in your home state. Our office will coordinate this process for you so you do not need to worry.
What is the difference between an open and closed adoption?
An open adoption is where you select the adoptive family for your baby. There will be no secrecy, and as your baby grows, he/she will learn about their biological history.
Before you choose your adoptive parents, you will learn about their values, their faith, and the type of home your baby will grow up in. You can decide what type of contact you will have – you can have texts, pictures, letters or visits. Or you can choose to have minimal contact. We can help you draft a written agreement for any future contact, if any, you will have with the adoptive parents.
A majority of private adoptions are now open.
In a semi-open adoption, the birth mother and adoptive parents have contact during her pregnancy, and may even meet in person. However, after the adoption, they may share information through an intermediary (agency or attorney). Photographs and letters are often exchanged, but little to no identifying information is disclosed. In an semi-open adoption, privacy may be protected.
In a closed adoption, no contact informtaion is shared between the birth mother and adoptive parents. A closed adoption is the most protective of birth mother’s privacy.
You will decide which type of adoption you want.
Can I Choose the Family that Adopts My Baby?
Yes. You alone choose who adopts your baby.
Here are questions you can ask:
- Are you married?
- How long have you been married?
- Do you have other children?
- Have you ever adopted a child?
- Why do you want to adopt my baby?
- Where do you live?
- What is your community like?
- Do you go to church? What is your faith?
- Do you practice your faith?
- Will I be able to contact you about the baby?
- What is your educational background?
- Where do you work? Will both of you work after you adopt?
- What do you do for fun?
- What sort of education will give your child?
- What will make you good parents?
- What kind of future do you see for your children?
What are my options?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, no decision will be an easy one. Before you make ANY decision, it is important to arm yourself with an armour of resources so you can properly understand what each decision entails.
Parenthood
Raising child isone of the most wonderful things you can do. It is also one of the most expensive. In 2023, it is estimated that the minimum amount required to raise a kid to adulthood in New York City is $500,000
If you decide to raise the baby, you may have questions about how you will pay for medical care, and where you can get resources. Below are links to pregnancy resource centers where you can find help.
Adoption
Adoption starts with loss. But sometimes it is the best option for your baby. Our offices can equip you with all the information you need if this is your option.
Abortion
Abortion is also a choice. If you have already had an abortion, and you are feeling guilt and suffering, there are many support groups and pregnancy resource centers also offer counseling to help you cope with grief. You are not alone.