AboutTerrie Expertise Hello, I am an adoptive mom, past foster parent, I also work with a support group for potential and current birth and adoptive parents. I am also very knowledgable about Open and Private adoption. As well as using a lawyer, counseling, Homestudies, Also Legal Guardianship.
Experience I am an adoptive mom, on online community leader, as well as I am the founder of an Support group for adoption, We help potential birth and adoptive parent's. Find answer's to their need. I also can refer them to appropriate resources.
Organizations United thru Adoption,Online community Leader on adoption concerning Open Adoption and Adopting an Older child.
Expert: Terrie Date: 3/25/2008 Subject: Adopting a newborn
Question Hello Terrie,
A friend daughters who is 16 has a infant that she can not take care of. I am willing to take custody/adopt this child. However I do not no the process. Can you give advice?
Answer Landy you did not state if the friends daughter wishes for someone else to raise her child and if the father of this child nor his family does not wish to raise the child and he and the mother are both willing to sign papers terminating their rights. Did the daughter of the friend talk to you personally? Do you have an adoptive homestudy? A completed background check? Health report? Stating your in good health and have financial records to prove you can afford a child? Do you have a lawyer for you? One for each birthparent? The homestudy costs aprox $2,000 or more depending on where you live lawyer fees can cost at least several thousand for your side and same for birthparents. If birthfather is unknown add costs for how your state or the state they live in handles that issue. This can be a complex legal matter and that process differs by state to state. Also if either birthparent does not wish to make this a permanent arrangement then you could lose the child back to either of them at any time. It can take a while to get an approved homestudy and get approved by whomever does that homestudy for an adoption to be able to take place. You did not state where you live? Is it the same state as both birthparents? Do you have a steady job? Are you single or married? Can you have children born to you? all these things can matter when a homestudy is being done. I would like to hear back from you. Best wishes
Terrie
