| Deciding to adopt a child is one of the most | | | | circumstances of the adoption. One frequent scenario |
| important decisions you will make. Not surprisingly, it | | | | consists of a child who is a ward of the court--they |
| can be a very difficult decision to make. In | | | | are orphans, or the rights of their biological parents |
| considering adoption, you need to address a number | | | | have been terminated by the courts. |
| of physical, emotional and legal issues. | | | | Another scenario includes the adoption of an infant |
| Because of the complexity of the process, many | | | | born to a teenage single mother, and the termination |
| people are reluctant to adopt. However, the right | | | | of the rights of the biological parents is done within |
| information can help to make the decision a little | | | | the same court proceedings to finalize the adoption. |
| easier. To properly consider adoption, you need to | | | | In the process of adoption finalization, the family |
| have an understanding of adoption, and the adoption | | | | court judge reviews all the gathered information |
| process. | | | | about the child, their biological parents, and the |
| Adoption, broadly defined, is a legal process that | | | | adoptive parents. This information can include: |
| creates a permanent legal relationship between a | | | | - the home study results |
| couple or single adult, and a child. In many, but not all, | | | | - an evaluation of the adopting parents and an |
| cases, childless couples are matched with orphans, | | | | assessment of their ability to take custody of the |
| children without parents. A large part of adoption is | | | | child |
| this matching process. | | | | - reports from any pre-adoption counseling |
| Because adoption is a legal process, it goes much | | | | - the adoption caseworker's notes and |
| further than simply making suitable family matches. | | | | recommendations as well as any additional information |
| Parental rights and responsibilities are given to the | | | | desired by the judge. |
| adopting parents, and the adoptive child is granted | | | | The following people are expected to be present at |
| the legal, emotional and social rights and | | | | the adoption proceedings: |
| responsibilities of a natural family member. | | | | - the adoptive parents and their attorney |
| Once the adoption process is complete, the adoptive | | | | - the biological parents and their attorney |
| child is legal offspring, and has the same rights as any | | | | - the child or children being adopted |
| biological child, including the rights of inheritance. | | | | - the legal advocate for the child |
| To finalize an adoption, court proceedings are | | | | - the child's caseworker |
| required. As part of these court hearings, the court | | | | - the caseworkers of both the adoptive parents and |
| must identify the biological parents of the potential | | | | the biological parents. |
| adoptee. This is done, in part, to assure that the | | | | With the people involved present, the judge will |
| adoption is fair and lawful, and capable of | | | | render an approval or disapproval of the petition for |
| withstanding any external conflicts. | | | | adoption. If the petition is approved, the adoption is |
| The difficulty of determining biological parentage | | | | finalized, the Adoption Decree is issued, and the child |
| varies, depending on state law, and the | | | | is made a permanent member of their new family. |