Which adoption program is best for you? Questions and answers
Q. What is An Identified Adoption?An identified adoption is one in which the birth mother has identified with a particular adoptive parent. A mutual friend, relative, or doctor may have matched them. An attorney can assist in the preparation of the documents necessary to complete the legalization of the adoption. This begins with preparation of the preliminary documents that provide each participant with a full disclosure of all facts and information necessary to make the decision.
Q. What is a Non-Identified Adoption?
A non-identified adoption is one in which the attorney assists a prospective adoptive parent in locating a birth mother willing to make an adoption plan for her child.
The process includes the attorney gathering detailed information that is given to all participants to enable each to make an informed choice. It also involves assistance with and referrals to other professionals who will be involved in adoption preparation -- whether it is a domestic or an international adoption.
This advance work may include preparation for the Home Study, birth parent meeting, INS (for international adoptions), and dossier assistance.
Q. What is a domestic adoption?
"Domestic" refers to an adoption that is begun and concluded in the
United States. An attorney can assist the participants in this by preparing the necessary, complex paperwork for compliance with their own state laws on adoption, which is why choosing a professional to handle an adoption is a very important decision.
In choosing this professional, it is important to ask the following questions:
How long have you handled adoptions?
What services do you provide?
What are the costs involved?
Will you provide references to me?
This should be done with great care and on an informed basis. Check with friends, other attorneys and organizations such as Adoptive Families of America or the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys for qualifications of an attorney you are considering to assist you in this placement.
Q. What is an International Adoption?
This type of adoption takes place in a country other then the one in which the adoptive parents reside. Typically, if you live in the United States and request an international adoption, you would be considering children in countries such as Russia, China, Guatemala and Romania.
It is important to contact a professional who is knowledgeable in International adoption; someone who can assist you prepare for the many necessary steps and dealing with the laws of other nations, as well as U.S. immigration requirements.
Mary Ann Scherer assists by providing services such as advice and referrals in preparation for domestic or international adoption. Whether you reside in Florida or in another state, she will provide guidance to you as prospective adoptive parents involved in the process of fulfilling a dream of becoming a family. Scherer consults with other professionals qualified in their respective states and abroad to assist with adoption placements.
Q. Open or Closed Adoption...what if I am asked?
In most of today's domestic adoptions, biological parents are asking questions about prospective adoptive parents that can only be answered by the adoptive parents themselves. Biological parents are particularly concerned about who will be taking care of the child they are placing.
Years ago, such questions were not asked. All was done in secret -- hidden. But today, adoption is viewed as a positive choice made by a responsible Birth parent. Such a parent will naturally want to know about who will take care of their child. Wouldn’t you? When the parties agree on this approach, the adoption is termed "open".
The term "open" should not be a threatening term for you. It implies that some information will be shared with the biological parents. It does not mean that the biological parents want to become part of your family or know your names or where you live.
A biological parent frequently asks and is generally happy to meet with the prospective adoptive parent and share information. She -- or both of them -- wants to see you and gather information to make an informed choice so that the decision being made is the right one for their child.
Don’t let this stop you. It is a very rewarding experience and much appreciated by the biological parents.
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