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Old 07-11-2005, 07:24 AM
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tobeafamily tobeafamily is offline
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OK first of all - be sure your attorney is experienced in domestic parental placement adoption. Are they Quad-A? If you're not sure, check the membership roster online at www.adoptionattorneys.com. You should have an attorney in both your home state and the birth state. I agree with Plareb too that this young lady and the expectant father (if known) should have independent legal counsel.

Plareb is right - it is quite complicated and laws vary from state to state.

Generally here's how it goes:

You complete a homestudy according to the laws of your state
Connect with expectant parents making an adoption plan
Baby born
Biological parents voluntarily terminate their rights according to the laws of the birth state. If biological father is unknown, 'any unknown birthfather' proceedings are followed.
Prospective adoptive parents are named temporary guardians, then legal guardians
Paparents then petition to ICPC to have the adoption transferred to their home state
You then follow the post-placemnet supervision requirements of your home state, petition to finalize the adoption, then are named legal parents.

Good adoption attorneys can help you navigate the process in both states.

BTW There may be a requirement that a licensed child placing agency be a part of the process. If so, it does NOT restrict you to 'one' agency, both you and this expectant parent have a choice of any licensed agency in the state. Contact the state's Family Services Department for a complete list of licensed child placing agencies.

HTH

Regina
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