The Florida Adoption Process For Birth Moms

If you are considering adoption as a birth mother, it’s important to know more about the specific laws in your state. Adoption is a beautiful choice that birth mothers have for their children that helps people grow their families and is a choice many birth mothers make to give their babies the best opportunity to thrive. Prospective parents and birth mothers alike may be interested to know more about how the adoption process works in the state of Florida, and what they can expect along the way. The most straightforward way to explore adoption is to contact an experienced adoption attorney or an adoption agency that can guide you. 

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Main Steps For Mothers Going Through The Adoption Process

The best place to start the Florida adoption process is by contacting an adoption law firm and scheduling a free consultation. An adoption lawyer will meet with the birth mother or birth parents to discuss their options and address any questions or concerns that come up. As the birth mother, you don’t have to commit to anything – a consultation is an opportunity for you to find out more about adoption to see if it’s the right choice for you. Keep in mind that our adoption law firm can help you with support groups and counseling along the way. You don’t have to do this alone and there is guidance and assistance available to help you on your adoption journey. 

Review Pre-Screened Prospective Parents

As the birth mother, you will be able to review a list of prospective parents who are hoping to adopt. You’ll be given photographs along with short biographies so you can learn more about who the prospective parents are, their outlook on life, and what kinds of activities they enjoy. These prospective parents have gone through extensive background checks as well as a home study to ensure that they will be able to offer a safe, healthy, and financially stable home. 

This screening process includes an in-home visit with a social worker and interviews with all members of the household. Some prospective adoptive parents also choose to take adoption classes to prepare for the transition of adopting a baby. Knowing that the prospective parents have been pre-screened saves time and protects your interests as a birth mother, so you know that any prospective parent you are interested in is able to provide a safe and loving home for your baby. 

Meet With Prospective Adoptive Parents

Once you’ve selected prospective adoptive parents you think might be a good match, you’ll be able to speak with them over the phone. If that goes well and you wish to continue, you’ll be able to meet with prospective parents in person. Here are a range of questions you might want to ask them:

• Do they want an open adoption?
• Are their families supportive of their choice to adopt? 
• Why do they want to adopt? 
• Why do they think they will be good parents? 
• What do they do for a living? 
• Will they be able to stay at home with the baby after the birth? 
• What kind of neighborhood do they live in? 
• What is their income bracket or lifestyle like? 
• What is their immediate and extended family like? 
• How much contact do they want to have with the birth mother? 
• What will they tell the child about adoption? 

Adoption Lawyers And The Paperwork

As you may know, there is a lot of paperwork and documentation involved with the adoption process. An adoption lawyer is responsible for filing adoption paperwork and meeting the state requirements and deadlines, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming. 

If the birth mother decides that she doesn’t want to put her baby into an adoption plan, she has up to 48 hours after the birth to change her mind. It doesn’t matter how much time, money, or energy has been invested in exploring adoption – the birth mother always has the final say and should never be pressured into making a decision. A Florida adoption is not final until the birth mother signs the consent for adoption paperwork, which is signed in the presence of her attorney after the birth.

Remind the birth parents that the adoption lawyer handles all the paperwork and ensures state requirements are met. This is also where you can discuss how long a birth mom has to change her mind once she gives birth.

How We Can Help You

As adoption lawyers in the state of Florida, we have years of experience with the adoption process. We are proud advocates for birth moms and children, and we understand that choosing to put your baby in an adoption plan is a life-changing decision, full of emotional highs and lows. We are here to support and guide you each step of the way, whether or not you decide adoption is right for you. If you would like to schedule a consultation to find out more about adoption services for birth mothers, contact us today.