| y people, adoption is a wonderful way to have a child | | | | use good, common sense. In other words, pay |
| and start a family. Although not an easy decision for | | | | attention to things said, follow up on information |
| the birth mother or the adoptive parents, with the | | | | provided, and if at any time your gut instinct says |
| assistance of a reputable adoption agency and | | | | something is not quite right, listen. In fact, even if |
| facilitator, good matches can be made and the | | | | you choose an independent adoption, we still strongly |
| adoption process successful and with little stress. In | | | | recommend you have an adoption attorney to assist. |
| addition to agencies, adoptive parents can also find | | | | In this case, the attorney would be responsible for |
| children independently through local newspaper | | | | doing some research, drawing up legal papers, |
| advertisements or on the internet through various | | | | handling the money, and so on. |
| registry services. | | | | Two of the most common signs associated with |
| Take the online option for example. With this, if you | | | | adoption fraud are pressure and guilt from the birth |
| were interested in adopting, you would have the | | | | mother and/or father. In other words, if you start |
| possibility of viewing profiles to include in-depth details | | | | being pressured for more money, or the birth mother |
| about both birth mother, possibly birth father, and | | | | father begins to put a guilt trip on you for money, |
| the baby if born, along with photographs. However, | | | | food, clothing, and other items beyond the |
| this type of service also benefits the birth mother | | | | agreement, you should take this as a red flag. |
| and/or father in that they too can view potential | | | | Additionally, the birth mother should always be willing |
| parents for the baby. Once a connection is made, | | | | to release medical information to you and answer |
| initial communication would take place via email, | | | | any questions you might have. If this information is |
| phone, or letters, allowing each party to share | | | | held back, you should wonder why. |
| information or ask questions. | | | | Other warning signs would include the birth mother |
| If the two parties believe there is a potential match, | | | | father living in motels or being transients, the mother |
| a meeting would be scheduled to meet in person. | | | | refusing to accept medical care, and a birth mother |
| The thing to remember is that most adoption | | | | father not providing you with a phone number and |
| processes, even those done independently go very | | | | address where she/he can be reached. Again, most |
| well. Unfortunately, as with many things, there is a | | | | adoption processes go smoothly, connecting a birth |
| slight risk, especially when using the internet to look | | | | mother with adoptive parents who will love and |
| for a baby in which a woman may pretend to be | | | | cherish the child. However, the more you can learn |
| pregnant just to get the money. You see, many | | | | about the adoption process and meet with other |
| adoptions for pregnant women will involve her living | | | | parents in your same situation the more empowered |
| expenses being paid until the baby is born, on top of | | | | you become to ensure you do not become involved |
| a large fee that generally starts around $10,000. | | | | with fraud,as well as a broken heart. |
| Keep in mind that if you are interested in adopting, | | | | |