| by: S.A. Nickerson | | | | international requirements, weigh all of the available |
| Adoption can be difficult. It can be expensive. It can | | | | options, and the risks for each one. For example, |
| be emotionally trying and physically draining. But it | | | | agency adoptions, depending on where you're |
| surely is noble, and well worth the time, money, and | | | | adopting, may be the safest because an adoption |
| effort it takes to succeed at child adoption. To that | | | | agency provides oversight and protection against |
| end, here are the 7 tips that any person thinking of | | | | fraud. On the other hand, having a facilitator or |
| baby adoption should know. | | | | outside individual act as a go-between provides |
| First, know the truth about agency adoptions. These | | | | almost no safety net, especially in an international |
| can occur domestically in the United States or your | | | | adoption, where even state and federal laws can't |
| other Western home country, or they can happen in | | | | protect you. |
| international adoption as well. Agency adoptions occur | | | | With international adoptions, though, state and |
| through a local public agency, or via a licensed private | | | | federal laws can stop you-an important thing to |
| agency. | | | | remember There are federal laws that regulate |
| These agency adoptions differ significantly from | | | | international adoption. These mainly are in place to |
| independent adoptions, so it's essential to know | | | | protect the child, so be sure that you are familiar |
| these differences. Independent adoptions occur | | | | with them. |
| usually without an adoption agency, sometimes when | | | | As the sixth rule to know for adoptions, it makes |
| the prospective parents connect with the biological | | | | sense then to be familiar with the laws of the foreign |
| mother and agree to the infant adoption. In many of | | | | country in which you are adopting. Just as the U.S. |
| these cases, attorneys act as the go-between, but in | | | | government has rules that need to be adhered to, so |
| some international adoptions, such as in China and | | | | will a China, a Guatemala, or a Vietnam. China, for |
| Guatemala, the prospective parents do much of the | | | | instance, now limits single-parent adoptions and only |
| legwork themselves. | | | | allows adoption agencies that have follow-up policies. |
| Each case of child adoption is unique-most | | | | And the Marshall Islands no longer allows international |
| importantly, because adoptions vary depending on | | | | adoption at all. |
| the laws of the state where the adoption is taking | | | | And the seventh, and probably most important, tip is |
| place, or the country. Different states and countries, | | | | to never lose sight of why you're adopting. The |
| for instance, may require an attorney as an | | | | process of child adoption can be so tough that, |
| intermediary, while others may require strictly | | | | sometimes, prospective parents get desperate, |
| adoption agency involvement in the process. Know | | | | dispirited, and even drastic. Don't. Keep in mind your |
| the laws of your state, or country. If you plan to | | | | dream of a family, of becoming a loving parent to a |
| adopt across state lines, know both states' policies | | | | needy child. And never lose sight, or hope, during the |
| toward adoption. | | | | long process of adoption. |
| When you are fully informed about your local or | | | | |