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