AboutPeter C. Winkler, CSW Expertise I have experience with adoption subsidy, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and variety of other adoption related matters. I hope that I can be helpful to those who are considering adoption or would like to adopt a child.
Experience I am a social worker with an MSW and I have over thirty years of experience in family and children's services. I have worked as Director of adoption services and of the Interstate Compact in a large state agency. I have also provided direct services to children and families in a preventive services program. I currently prepare adoption studies for those who are adopting domestically or internationally.
Question QUESTION: Hi,
I have a sister who is on drugs, goes back and forth to jail and has lost all three children due to her history and my mom is raising them. She is now five months pregnant and is still doing drugs. What can I do to get this baby when he/she is born, since my mom does not want another baby to raise. My husband and I have agreed to take this baby and would love to raise the baby as our own with our two children that we have.
ANSWER: Hi Lori,
I would advise you to meet with a lawyer in your area to discuss what is involved in doing an adoption of the child. Your sister and the father (if he can be contacted) should sign voluntary relinquishment papers after the baby is born and you should be able to take the child home from the hospital. Try to find a lawyer who does a lot of adoption work and start the process early since it will probably be necessary to have an adoption home study done by a local social worker. The home study is a report that says that the social worker certifies that you and your husband will be suitable parents and you have the resources to properly care for the child.
Good luck!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. Now, what do we do if she refuses to sign. That is how she was with the first three. Plus the guy she is claiming is the father is denying the baby is his. We never knew who the father of the last child was either.
Answer Lori-If your sister won't voluntarily relinquish, it will make things more complicated. How did the other children, who are with your mother,wind up with her?
It would still be a good idea to consult with a lawyer on this, but unless your sister agrees to cooperate, it may be more difficult and legally more costly to get custody of the child. You and your mother should try to reason with your sister to do what is right for her child. If child welfare has been involved in the past, contact them and advise them of what is going on and make sure they know you are interested in adopting the baby after it is born.
