Adoption is a life changing decision for both the prospective parents and the child. If you are seriously considering adoption, you’ll want to do your research to make sure you know what to expect in the coming months or even years. Adoption can be a long drawn-out process, which is why it’s important to be perseverant and seek out help from an Lansing MI family law attorney.
Below, you’ll find our list of 5 things you should know before starting the adoption process.
1. It is a lifelong commitment.
Every child deserves being able to grow up in a permanent home. Not only is a stable environment better for the emotional development of your adopted child, but it also lets him or her know that they are loved by their new parents. Just like being a biological parent, adoption is a lifelong commitment. You will need to seriously evaluate your financial and emotional ability to raise a child before adoption.
2. Adoption can be expensive.
The average cost of adoption runs between $25,000 and $35,000. However, the cost of adoption can vary dramatically based on whether you decide to from the United States or travel internationally to adopt.
is significantly less expensive than traveling abroad and coordinating legal efforts between two countries. Keep in mind that you will also have to hire a reputable family law lawyer for help through the legal process.
3. Pre-adoption counseling can help.
If you are in the process of adopting a child, we strongly recommend you receive counseling and participate in . Adopting a child is an emotional process for everyone involved. Not to mention, can also bring about unique challenges that only other adoptive parents will understand.
If you are a first-time parent, a knowledgeable adoption lawyer may recommend you take some parenting classes to help you prepare. The more you nurture your parenting ability, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to .
4. Adoption can be a long process.
More than 125,000 children are adopted each year in the United States. However, this doesn’t mean that the road to adoption is easy. Before you are able to adopt a child, you will most likely go through in-depth interviews, home visits from a social worker, and meetings with your adoption attorney.
It is important you know the time commitment for adoption before moving forward. It’s not uncommon for parents to wait years before being able to take their adopted child home. You will need to have patience and perseverance.
5. You don’t need a “traditional” household to adopt.
In the past, adoption was limited to married heterosexual couples. However, the idea that a child needs both a mother and father to thrive is starting to fade away. According to a 2014 study conducted by the , approximately half of American children don’t live in nuclear families. In recent years, there has also been an increase in same sex couples adopting children as well as more placements with parents who are single or over the age of 55.
If you are interested in hiring our family law attorneys to provide legal representation, please contact our Lansing MI law firm at (517) 337-4600 for your free initial phone consult. The attorneys at Foster & Harmon P.C. is dedicated to helping families through the adoption process.