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Domestic
Adoptions
Domestic
adoptions are when the adoptive family and the child adopted both
reside within the United States.
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 Types
of Domestic Adoptions
- Independent
Adoption
These adoptions are arranged by an intermediary other than an
adoption agency, such as a lawyer or a physician. The intermediary
may find the birthmother for the adoptive parents, or may help
the birthmother locate adoptive parents that would be interested
in adopting her child. Independent adoptions are not legally permitted
in all states.
- Relative
Adoption
In
most states, relative adoptions are treated somewhat less formally
than non-relative ("stranger") adoptions. They may require
only an abbreviated homestudy or none at all. For this preferential
treatment to apply, the adoption must fit the definition of a
relative adoption under state law. Most state laws define "relative"
by degree of relatedness. For example, Arizona adoption law defines
a "relative" as "uncle, aunt, adult sibling, grandparent
or great-grandparent of the child of the whole or half-blood or
by marriage or adoption." Not fitting in this general definition
are cousins of any degree or children of nieces or nephews. You
will need to consult your attorney or the specific law in your
state.
- Stepparent
Adoption
The most common form of adoption is by a stepparent who assumes
financial and legal responsibility for his/her spouse's child(ren),
and the non-custodial parent is released from all parenting responsibilities.
Procedures are generally simpler than for other types of adoption,
however, stepparent adoption law varies from state to state. State
stepparent adoption laws address issues such as consents from
the non-custodial parent, how long the stepparent and biological
parent must be married before an adoption petition can be filed,
whether or not a home study is required, and other requirements.
-
Open Adoption
Every adoption of this type will be different, based on the type
of relationship that the birth parents and the adoptive parents
have agreed to. Both identifying and non-identifying information
about the adoptive parents and the birth parents is shared with
each other, which can include last names, addresses, and telephone
numbers. In some open adoptions, the birth parent and the adoptive
family know each other and have ongoing communication about the
child.
If the parents on both sides agree, the adoptive parents may even
be allowed to be present for the delivery of the child, thus allowing
them to vicariously share in the birthing process. Neither the
birth parents nor the adoptive parents are forced to participate
in an open adoption if that is not what they are comfortable with.
Although there is some disagreement on the subject, it is suggested
that the child, and thus the adoptive parents that will be raising
the child, are the primary beneficiaries of some of the most significant
benefits that can result from an open adoption.
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Adoption
Professionals
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 Adoption
Attorney
An
attorney who is licensed to practice law in one or more states,
who has the expertise and experience that is necessary to properly
understand and apply the State and Federal laws pertaining to
adoption matters, who is proficient in the filing, processing,
and finalization of adoption matters in courts having appropriate
jurisdiction, and in dealing effectively with birth parents, adoptive
parents, and when necessary, members of their extended families,
in matters relating directly and indirectly to adoption.
- Adoption
Agencies
An
adoption agency is an organization that is licensed in the state
or states where it transacts its business, which is to assist
in placing children needing parents with adoptive parents that
are looking for children. Agencies exist in a wide variety of
organizational forms, including non-profit, not-for-profit, for-profit,
and governmental agency. Although the legal impact of the organizational
or business structure of an adoption agency may be different,
the services that they are licensed to provide are generally very
similar.
- Licensed
Social Worker
Men
and women trained in the field of social sciences, usually social
work specifically, although college graduates in sociology, psychology
and other fields may be employed as social workers. (Some social
work graduates take umbrage when a person without a social work
degree is referred to as a "social worker"; this definition
is given in its broadly understood sense.) Adoption social workers
may counsel birthparents, prospective adoptive parents, older
children who will be adopted, birth grandparents and other individuals
involved and actively interested in adoption. The primary goal
of the social worker involved in adoption is to find good families
for children and to protect the rights of the children. If a special
needs adoption is planned, the social worker wants to fully educate
the adopting parents so they will understand the needs and problems
of the child.
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Seattle (206) 452-2007
Puyallup (253) 604-0466
Toll Free (800) 643-3960
Fax (253) 604-0465
Office Location: 10116 - 116th Street East, Suite 201 |
Puyallup, WA 98373
Mailing Address: PO Box 731128 | Puyallup, WA 98373
For more information or to set up a homestudy, click here to email us.
www.AdoptionHomeStudyService.com
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