| Couples who are trying to adopt often become | | | | Before you sign on with any agency or attorney, |
| discouraged and disheartened when they hear how | | | | make sure to do your homework! Research all the |
| difficult and extensive the adoption process can be. | | | | agencies within your area that meet the specifics you |
| They often hear stories of how couples wait for | | | | are looking for. Request any literature they may |
| years to be approved and finally achieve their | | | | provide (brochures, handouts, etc.) that will give you |
| dreams of having a child of their own. If you are | | | | an idea of the services and how well they can meet |
| considering adoption, do not be swayed or become | | | | your wants and needs. Another great idea may be |
| discouraged from such rumors that you may hear. | | | | joining an adoptive parent support group, whether in |
| These days, people of all lifestyles and backgrounds | | | | person or online. It can be very therapeutic and |
| are routinely considered for adoption and can have a | | | | beneficial for you to connect with others who |
| child of their own. | | | | understand the situation you are in. |
| With so many different types of children who need | | | | Once you have narrowed down your selection to |
| loving homes, before you begin the adoption process, | | | | just a few adoption agencies or attorneys, you need |
| you will need to figure out which type of child you | | | | to ask for references of previous clients and check |
| would like to adopt. Do you want an infant or would | | | | them. This will give you an idea of the service they |
| you like to adopt an older child? There is also the | | | | provide. Anything negative you may hear from such |
| race of the child to consider, as well as perhaps a | | | | references should definitely be a red flag. You should |
| special needs infant. | | | | also check for complaints against the agency. You |
| Some of those choices may depend on whether you | | | | can never be too careful when you are making such |
| decide to adopt domestically or internationally. | | | | an important decision that will have a major impact |
| Domestic adoption refers to adopting a child within | | | | on your adoption experience. |
| the United States, while international adoption occurs | | | | Once you have begun the adoption process and you |
| when you adopt a child from a foreign country. If | | | | come across a child that you are considering, you |
| you decide to adopt domestically, you will have to | | | | need to ask all the right questions. For instance, |
| know and understand your state's adoption laws; it | | | | inquire about the child's health, social background, the |
| may be beneficial to hire an attorney well-versed in | | | | health (physical and mental) of the birth parents, and |
| domestic adoption. The same goes for international | | | | any early life experiences they may have had if it is |
| adoption; there are adoption agencies that specialize | | | | an older child you are considering. The more you |
| in international adoption. It would be wise to use such | | | | know and learn about the child, the better prepared |
| an agency so you have a clear and definite | | | | you will be and the more smooth the transition will be |
| understanding of the adoption laws and regulations of | | | | for the both of you. |
| the country from which you are adopting. | | | | |