The process of adopting has many elements involved. The adoption process can seem like you are traversing a maze with many questions running in your mind once you start considering adopting a child.
Here is a list of frequently-asked questions for A Act of Love Adoptions to guide you:
What is adoption?
Adoption is a legal process where the parental rights of the birthparents are transferred permanently to the prospective parents. In short, the child legally becomes your child in terms of rights and responsibilities. As a parent, you are the one responsible for providing a loving and nurturing environment for the child to grow and thrive.
Are we eligible to adopt?
People who have successfully adopted include:
– Those who are single, married or divorced
– Those who already have children or who are childless
– Those who have a disability but can still prove their ability to take care of the child
– Those who vary in age, based on their ability to parent a child and their support system
This list just shows that there is a diverse range of people who are eligible to adopt. You are eligible to adopt for as long as:
– You are able to provide a stable, safe and loving environment
– You do not have a criminal or child abuse record
– You have a good support system and guardianship established
From where can we adopt with Act of Love?
You can adopt:
– Children born in the country (domestic adoption)
How does one start adopting?
– Contact A Act of Love Adoptions and a friendly adoption professional will be available to answer your questions and get you started.
– Agency adoption with full-services from Act of Love Adoptions
– Indentified adoptions where two parties already know each other and the birthparent is making a designated adoption directly naming the prospective parents to adopt their child can be handled by Act of Love Adoption Agency
– Independent Adoptions where one or both of parties is working with another adoption professional
– Agency Assist Adoptions where Act of Love may be assisting with either the birthparent or adoptive family
What do we need to prepare?
– Your profile. This is how you introduce yourselves to prospective birthparents.
– Legal papers. This includes birth and marriage certificates, tax returns, medical clearances, references and background clearances.
– Your heart and home for the home study. The home study will delve into your reasons for adopting, as well as, whether you are physically, emotionally and psychologically prepared to adopt. The home study will also investigate any safety and health risks in your home.
What costs does the adoption entail?
The total expenses involved in the adoption will depend on the kind of adoption you choose. Expenses may cover various aspects such as an adoption agency fees, service fees for counseling and casework, legal costs, living expenses, medical costs and travel costs, other.
According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway website, the ranges of expenses you may expect from various types of adoptions are:
– Foster care adoption: $0 to $2,500
– Adoption through a private adoption agency such as A Act of Love Adoptions: $5,000 to $40,000
– International adoption: $8,000 to $40,000
It is also important to remember that the cost of the adoption will depend on your particular situation. Medical expenses may not be included in the total adoption and the adoption may exceed the ranges above.