[LisaCA]

Hi,

if you live here in CA and the child was born here, then the california laws are what you'll follow. here's a link to info specifically on CA:

http://library.adoption.com/Laws/Cal...le/7584/1.html

if you're trying to decide between infant and toddler adoption, you'll need to decide whether to do infant/agency/private adoption or go the foster-to-adopt where the children are older. The rules with foster parenting are quite different, hopefully someone can fill you in on those. The classes are longer and more involved for foster adoption, the homestudy is more difficult/challenging, and the timeframe can be unpredictable.

you might want to read a book entitled Toddler adoption, which may give you some insight into the issues with which you'll need to deal, such as attachment issues.

the issues of timing often depend on your county and your circumstances, what restrictions you have, etc.

my advice is just to read as much as you can about the issues involved in open, semi open and closed adoptions, infant vs toddler, agency vs lawyer vs foster adopt, etc. then some soul-searching about what you really want.

hope this helps,

Lisa