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.
Expert: Peter C. Winkler, CSW Date: 7/2/2006 Subject: adoption of unborn niece/nephew
Question Hi Peter! I'm thrilled to have found this website. Thank you for taking my email.
Situation: My sister found out she is pregnant. She has asked my husband and me to adopt it. She says both she and the father do not want the baby and will sign anything they need to give up all rights to the child. She lives in Missouri and we in California.
Question 1: do we follow MO or CA rules/laws?
Question 2: can we do this simply, with a lawyer? ie: signing something that would be like a contract. [the adoption process seems very messy and complicated from the little i've researched. for our circumstances, a basic contract written up by a lawyer would be better.]
Please advise on the adoption process we must follow for either state [or other options available to us]. Thank you very much! Lauren
Answer Hi Lauren:
The question that you pose has a lot of different angles, but I'll try to touch on the main issues. When you adopt a child (even your sister's) you need to go through the same process as a non-relative. The first step is obtaining a relinquishment of parental rights from the mother and father of the child after the child is born. You will also have to get an adoption home study done (of your family) so that the judge who handles the adoption will have evidence that you will be a good parent for the child. You should work with a lawyer who does adoption work and who is located near you. If your sister is in another state, you will also need to comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, which the lawyer can tell you about. Your sister could live with you prior to the birth (and hve the baby in your state)and then you wouldn't have to use the Compact or have the additional costs associated with it.
Feel free to ask follow up questions.
