A Quick Guide To Foster Parent Adoption

If you are interested in adopting through foster care, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about the process in the state you live in. Adoption is a beautiful way to become a parent and grow your family, and adopting through foster care has the added benefit of giving children from less privileged backgrounds a loving, safe home and family life. There are different requirements that prospective adoptive parents must meet, including an adoption home study process which entails a detailed background check and a review of financial and medical records. People considering foster parent adoption must also attend specific courses to prepare them for parenting. 

What Is Foster Parent Adoption

A foster parent adoption is when an adult adopts a child from the foster care system. Adopting from foster care tends to be a much faster process than a private adoption, which is an important consideration for many prospective adoptive parents. Adopting from foster care is also less expensive than a private adoption, making it easier for people to become adoptive parents. In order to adopt a child from foster care, the birth parent’s parental rights must be terminated by the parents or by the court. Keep in mind that children over the age of 12 must consent to be adopted. 

Foster To Adopt Option

Rather than adopt a child right away, a foster to adopt option is when a foster parent decides to adopt a child that was placed in their care. It’s important to know that a foster parent can only adopt a foster child if the birth parent’s parental rights have been terminated. In the state of Florida, other eligible biological family members are given precedence over foster parents to become adoptive parents. Sometimes family members choose not to become adoptive parents, in which case the foster parents are next in line to adopt. It’s important to keep these considerations in mind when looking into the foster-to-adopt process. 

Becoming A Foster Parent

Becoming a foster parent can be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. Being placed with a loving foster family can change a child’s life for the better and have a positive, lifelong impact on all parties involved. In order to become a foster parent, prospective foster parents will have to pass the “Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting” course and obtain a foster parent license. Prospective adoptive parents will need to pass a home study process for any kind of adoption. 

When The Child Is 18

Certain states, including Florida, allow foster care to be extended past the age of 18. This is helpful for foster children who wish to stay with their foster parents while they attend college or a vocational school. There are quite a few requirements that must be met, but for many teenagers, staying in foster care gives them valuable time with their foster family as well as a stipend to pursue higher education. Keep in mind that once the child is 18, they are eligible for adult adoption, which is easier in many ways than an underage adoption. 

How We Can Help You

As adoption lawyers in the state of Florida, we have years of experience with the adoption and foster-to-adopt process. We are proud advocates for birth moms, adoptive parents, and children, and we understand that adoption is a life-changing decision, full of emotional highs and lows. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way, no matter which kind of adoption you choose. If you would like to schedule a consultation to find out more about adoption and the services we offer, contact us today. 

Sources:
https://www.findlaw.com/state/florida-law/florida-adoption-laws.html
https://www.americanadoptions.com/florida-adoption/florida-adoption-laws