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How To Find and Adopt a Baby in North Carolina

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Understanding the Adoption Process in North Carolina

Before you begin your search for a baby, understanding the nuances of the adoption process is crucial. In North Carolina, various entities play a role in adoption: advertising agencies, facilitators, adoption coaches or consultants, and attorneys. Depending on the path you choose, you may engage several of these entities as a part of your adoption team.

But who does what? Let’s take a closer look at each one and how they may serve you.

Adoption Advertising Agencies

Per North Carolina Statutes, Chapter 48, only licensed child placement agencies, Department of Social Services, licensed adoption facilitators (defined as an individual or a nonprofit that helps biological parents find and evaluate prospective adoptive parents free of charge), or prospective adoptive parents whose current, completed home study has been approved may advertise in any periodical or newspaper, by radio, television, or other public medium. Prospective adoptive parents must disclose the name of their home study provider, the date the home study was completed, and whether they are willing to provide lawful expenses. Adoption advertisements may only be published in a periodical or newspaper or on radio, television, cable television, or the internet.

Because the goal is to facilitate an ethical, professional, and legal adoption process that prioritizes the best interests of the children involved, any violation of this provision is a crime in North Carolina.

Adoption Facilitators

As we noted in a previous blog, an adoption facilitator is an individual or entity that connects potential adoptive parents with pregnant mothers considering adoption for their unborn babies. North Carolina law permits adoption facilitators to perform various tasks, such as assisting with advertising to connect birth parents with prospective adoptive families, distributing information and resources about adoption services, and providing emotional support to everyone involved in the adoption. Facilitators put together positive profiles of the adoptive family for pregnant moms, to set them up for a successful adoption.

However, an adoption facilitator is not an adoption agency or an adoption lawyer. An adoption facilitator does not have the legal authority to place children for adoption. In general, they are not part of the legal process of adoption in North Carolina because only a parent or a licensed adoption agency can place a child for adoption in our state. It’s true that anyone can facilitate an adoptive placement; however, only an adoption agency is eligible for compensation for the facilitation or placement of a child for adoption. Furthermore, only an adoption attorney can give prospective parents legal advice or represent them in court.

Therefore, although adoption facilitators offer helpful services, an adoptive parent still needs an adoption attorney to navigate the intricacies of adoption law. Thinking of an adoption facilitator as a complementary service, not a replacement for an adoption attorney’s professional legal counsel or a private adoption agency’s comprehensive services.

Adoption Coaches and Consultants

In North Carolina, adoption coaches and consultants guide individuals or families through the adoption process by providing education, advice, emotional support, and practical assistance. They may help prospective adoptive parents create adoption profiles, prepare for home studies, understand legal documentation, and connect with relevant adoption agencies or professionals.

However, state law prohibits them from engaging in activities reserved for licensed adoption agencies — such as child placements and adoption advertising — to protect the well-being of all parties involved in the adoption process. Working with a Raleigh adoption attorney alongside a coach or consultant is in your best interest.

Attending Adoption-Focused Events and Outreach

Another effective way to connect with expectant parents considering adoption is by attending adoption-focused events and outreach programs. Many NC adoption agencies, as well as adoption coaches and consultants, host regular informational sessions, mixers, and other gatherings for prospective adoptive families.

These events provide invaluable opportunities to network, share your family’s story, and potentially be matched with a birth parent. You may also have the chance to hear directly from those who have walked the adoption journey before you, gaining insights and advice you can apply to your own process.

It’s also a good idea to be proactive in online adoption forums, social media groups, and other digital outreach initiatives. The more visible and active you are within the adoption community, the greater your chances of being selected by a birth parent looking to place their child in a loving home.

Exploring Adoption Agencies in North Carolina

In North Carolina, only a parent or a licensed adoption agency can place a child for adoption. NC adoption agencies facilitate the adoption process by connecting expectant parents with prospective adoptive families.

Under North Carolina law, licensed adoption agencies can help you with:

Child Placements: Licensed adoption agencies facilitate the placement of children for adoption with qualified adoptive parents. They assess and approve prospective adoptive parents, match them with children in need of adoption, and oversee the legal process of finalizing adoptions.
Counseling and Support: Adoption agencies provide counseling and support services to birth parents considering adoption, helping them understand their options, rights, and responsibilities throughout the adoption process. They also offer support to adoptive families to guide them through the emotional and practical aspects of adoption.
Home Studies: Licensed adoption agencies conduct home studies to evaluate the suitability of prospective adoptive parents and ensure that they can provide a safe and loving environment for a child. These studies remain valid for 18 months and help determine the eligibility of individuals or families to adopt. If you’re pursuing an interstate adoption, your home study must have been completed or updated within the past 12 months. When a home study expires or is about to expire, it can be updated and remain valid for another 12 to 18 months.
Post-Placement Services: After an adoption is finalized, licensed agencies continue to provide post-placement services to birth parents and adoptive families, which may include counseling, support, and resources to facilitate a successful transition for all parties involved.
Legal Compliance: Licensed adoption agencies must comply with all state laws and regulations governing adoption practices to uphold ethical standards and protect the rights of children, birth parents, and adoptive families.

Navigating the Legal Requirements for Adoption with an Experienced Adoption Lawyer

Regardless of the other adoption entities you may choose to work with, when you want to adopt a baby, hiring an experienced adoption lawyer is critical. A knowledgeable Raleigh adoption attorney who focuses exclusively on adoption can guide you through the complex web of legal requirements and paperwork smoothly and efficiently, overcome any challenges, and complete all the required legal steps to finalize the adoption.

Mills Adoption Law: Experience for What Matters Most – Family

Have you been searching online for a “Raleigh adoption attorney?” Bobby Mills, founding attorney of Mills Adoption Law, has over 35 years of hands-on experience. Having represented all members of the adoption triad—adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees—he has seen things and can anticipate problems other attorneys will not anticipate. Through his work on thousands of cases, he truly understands how to navigate the legal system and stand up for families. If you are seeking to adopt a child in North Carolina, contact him at (919) 306-2899, or complete the online form to schedule your free, 15-minute consultation.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Mills Adoption Law
4600 Marriott Dr, Ste 350
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 306-2899
https://www.millsadoptionlaw.com/