Adoption is a rewarding journey, but many would-be adoptive parents simply are not sure where to start. There is a lot at stake when placing a child in a safe and loving home and the process can seem overwhelming.
Many people who are considering adoption face similar questions, and becoming better versed in the adoption process can help you confidently move forward with your quest to adopt.
1. How Much Does An Arizona Adoption Cost?
Depending on how you go about the process, the cost of an Arizona adoption can vary significantly. An experienced adoption lawyer can help you better understand this cost range and choose the path that is right for you.
If you are committed to adoption, don’t let the issue of expense stop you. Consult with a reputable adoption attorney who will help you find your way.
Generally, private adoptions are less expensive, and you will need a skilled Arizona adoption attorney to guide this process. Every private adoption is unique, and the timeline can be unpredictable.
Adopting through the foster care system can be a less expensive way to lovingly welcome a child into your lives. There are different paths for adopting through the foster system and not all require you to foster children before you adopt.
Adoptions incorporate a lot of moving parts, but a knowledgeable adoption attorney will help you find the adoption route that is right for you.
2. What About Open Adoptions?
Open adoptions are becoming more and more common and successful. In an open adoption, the birth parents are allowed some contact with the adoptive parents and the adopted child post placement. This contact can vary from limited written communications to regular visits.
Open adoptions are child focused in the sense that they allow the child to genuinely connect with both sets of parents – adoptive and birth. Open adoptions require a significant degree of trust on all sides, but the benefits can outweigh the extra emotional effort.
Your adoption lawyer will help you consider open adoption from every angle. The laws for open adoptions vary by state and your adoption attorney will help you understand the options available to your specific case.
3. Is The Paperwork Overwhelming?
Like any important legal matter, Arizona adoptions involve a significant amount of paperwork, which will differ according to the kind of adoption you are pursuing. You will need to be part of a home study, and you will need to ensure that all your documentation is in order.
An adoption attorney will be well versed in these practices and will help ensure that your paperwork and documentation are both accurate and representative of you as prospective adoptive-parents.
4. Is The Home Study Complicated?
While the idea of a home study instills fear in many, there is no reason to let it get to you. The purpose of the home study is to ensure that you are ready, willing, and able to provide a child with a safe and loving home, which of course, you are.
It also provides you with an opportunity to tell your story – who you are and how you came to choose adoption.
The home study consists of three major components:
⦁ Your Documentation
This includes all the pertinent official documents that attest to who you are as adoptive parents, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, financial statements, and physicians’ statements of health. You will also need to be able to certify that no adult living in your home is awaiting trial or has been convicted of a crime. State and federal record checks will be conducted.
⦁ Your Interview
The interview is foundational to the adoption proceedings, but it’s not something you need to worry about. The interview simply provides the social worker assigned to your adoption case an opportunity to get to know you as prospective adoptive parents. It’s not so much a test as an opportunity to share your story and your adoption journey.
⦁ Your Home Inspection
The social worker’s goal in the home inspection is to ensure that your home is both a safe and welcoming environment for a child. The social worker will check for potential dangers that may need to be addressed before adoption can proceed.
Adoption is naturally steeped in emotion. You are, after all, bringing a new cherished member into your family. While the process can seem daunting, do not let it scare you. Adoption could be the most rewarding choice you will ever make. An experienced Arizona adoption attorney can help you get there.
If You Are Thinking Adoption, Contact Stuart & Blackwell Today
At Stuart & Blackwell, we understand just how stressful the adoption process can be. We’re here to help you find the path to adoption that’s right for you. Every adoption is as unique as the adoptive parents themselves, but the journey doesn’t have to be harrowing.
We specialize in Arizona adoption law, and we have the experience, knowledge, and compassion to help you welcome your child into your loving home. Contact us at (480) 420 2900 today for your free consultation.