Whether you’re expecting or you’ve recently had a child, you might wonder what your options are for placing your baby for adoption. If you’re considering adoption, you might consider how to go about it and what’s involved. You have options, and you have a say in how the process works. Here’s what to know about how to place your baby for adoption in North Carolina:
Learning about adoption in North Carolina
Your first step in placing your baby for adoption in North Carolina is determining if the process is right for you. You can learn how the adoption process works so that you can have confidence going forward that you’re making the right decision for your child. Adoption in North Carolina is a legal proceeding. When the process is complete, the child’s adoptive parents become the legal parents of the child. You have no obligation to financially support your child after the adoption is complete, but with permission from the adoptive parents, you may communicate with your child or send letters and gifts.
You may pursue an open or closed adoption in North Carolina
When you place your baby up for adoption in North Carolina, you may choose whether to have the child know your identity or keep your information confidential. By default, adoptions in North Carolina are closed. Adoption records are sealed, and the child can’t learn your name or identity without your permission. The court can release information that doesn’t reveal your identity like limited health information, but only you can choose to make your contact information accessible to the child.
Finding an adoptive family
Placing your baby for adoption in North Carolina involves finding the right adoptive family for you. There are multiple ways to go about finding an adoptive family in North Carolina. The most common way to find an adoptive family is to work with a licensed adoption agency. These agencies have experience in helping parents find the right adoptive family for their child.
When you meet with an adoption agency, they gather some information about your personal history. You can expect a friendly and non-judgmental meeting where adoption agency representatives answer your questions and explain your options. You can review profiles of families looking to adopt.
You may choose your child’s adoptive family. It’s you who makes the decision. The adoption agency provides information about potential adoptive families, and you can select the right adoptive family for your child. You can decide what qualities in an adoptive family are the most important for your child when you choose an adoptive family.
What information do I receive about my child’s adoptive family
The information that you can review about your child’s potential adoptive family is quite extensive.You can learn what members of the family live in the home. The information that you receive includes their personal histories and other information about their qualifications to adopt. They answer personal questions about their reasons for wanting to adopt. All of this information helps you find the right adoptive family for your child.
What happens after you choose your adoptive family in a North Carolina adoption?
Once you choose your adoptive family, the adoption agency continues to serve as the go-between between you and your child’s adoptive family. You and your adoptive family can decide how much contact to have before and after the adoption. You may want to have a completely open adoption where you share information directly with your adoptive family. You may even meet in person. Alternatively, you may puruse a closed adoption with limited contact.
Placing your baby for a direct adoption in North Carolina
The alternative to working with an adoption agency is placing your baby for a direct adoption in North Carolina. If you pursue a direct adoption, you choose your child’s adoptive family directly. It’s up to you to identify them and determine their fitness to adopt a child. Direct adoption might be a viable option for you if you want to place your baby for adoption with a family member or close personal friend.
When you put your baby up for adoption directly, your adoptive family must still complete a home study in order to document their personal background and reasons for wanting to adopt. This information helps the court decide if adoption is in the best interests of the child. With a direct adoption, it’s up to the adoptive family to complete this paperwork independently without the assistance of an adoption agency.
You can still learn about your child’s adoptive family. You can ask them whatever questions you have in order to determine whether the family is right for your child. With a direct adoption, you must exchange personal information with the adoptive family in order to complete the adoption process.
Completing the legal process for adoption
Once you’ve identified your child’s adoptive family and gathered the necessary background information, you complete the legal process for adoption. The legal process begins when the adoptive parents file a petition in a North Carolina court asking the court to approve the adoption. You receive a copy of the paperwork, and you have a chance to respond. The adoption isn’t complete until the judge signs the adoption order.
To complete the legal process, the court needs to know that you consent to the adoption. You provide the court with a statement that you agree to have the adoption occur. Your child’s other parent may sign a consent, or the adoptive parents may be able to pursue termination of their parental rights. When all of the paperwork is in order, the court may approve the adoption with or without a formal hearing.
Can I afford to place my baby for adoption in North Carolina?
The adoptive parents typically pay the costs of placing a baby for adoption in North Carolina. They cover the costs for their home study and the cost of working with the adoption agency. They can even pay the costs for you to have a lawyer during the proceedings. Your adoptive family can provide help for living expenses and hospital costs during your pregnancy and for several weeks after you deliver. A North Carolina adoption attorney can help you understand what costs your adoptive family may be able to cover in order to help you facilitate your adoption.
Placing your baby for adoption in North Carolina
Whether you’ve already decided to play your baby for adoption or you’re just beginning to research your options, understanding what to do can help you make the best decisions for your child. You may pick your child’s adoptive family. Your adoptive family must prepare information and documentation, and a court must approve the adoption. Bobby Mills can help you understand the process more thoroughly and take the next steps. Give us a call or fill out our contact form to get started today!