[moolamed5]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and am looking for information on the adoption agency A Act of Love in Utah. I am considering using them for a domestic adoption. Does anyone know anything about them good or bad. Any info would be appreciated.

CM

[rightmom]

We have adopted 6 times (for which we are grateful!) and two of our adoptions were with A Act of Love.

they are quite expensive, but when we went to court to finalize they were by far the most prepared, and the most professional we have ever worked with or had friends work with.

They really do have leads from many states and are always starting "sister" agency plans with agencies and facilitators in other states. This brought us our babies quickly, but brought up the costs.

I would consider working with them again---but I have loved it when I found adoptions that were not so very expensive! I did appreciate how they will answer all questions. And I am always very curious!!

Ask more specific questions and I will try to answer!

Rightmom

[moolamed5]

Dear rightmom,

Thanks for your reply post. What do you consider expensive? I was told that tops it would be 13,900 which here in NJ is inexpensive compared to what other agencies costs. What was the time frame that your children came home? I was told their longest placement was 1 year. We are hoping for a CC infant or a mixed race CC/asian or other than AA infant. Any other avenues you could suggest would be appreciated. Did you have to pay up front or in stages. I haven't got my pact of info from them yet so I'm still gathering info.

CM

[Bjennifer]

I am in NC and was referred to A Act of Love by the agency that did our homestudy. We just completed our homestudy and now have to decide on which ageency to use. The only thing that I am not sure about this agency is that even though their fees are reasonably low compared to other agencies, you still have to pay the birthmom expenses and from what I understand is that if the birthmom changes her mind, you do not get the money back that you have already spent. I am not sure if this agency is like this as well. I guess I will just wait and see what the information packet says and call back with a list of questions. Can anyone tell me if I am right or wrong about the birthmom expenses? Thank you Jennifer

[Cde3girl]

We adopted from an agency in Utah...cost us $20K for a biracial baby. Private agencies can really take you to the cleaners! Make sure you have the itemized costs and total before you agree to the match! Just from experience!

[moolamed5]

Dear Bjenifer,

I just got through an extensive phone interview with A ACt of Love. I found them very open honest and up front about all fees situations etc. I know two couples who have sucessfully adopted through them. At this time I am planning to use them pending review of contacts and docs by our atty. You do not loose birthmom maintenance and medical costs if she changes her mind and does not place the child. You can also choose a cap for these costs to fit your buget . You will just go back in the pool to wait for the next suitible match. They avg. 9-12 mon for placement. They did have one lisc prob which you can check with the state about. They discussed it openly with me at inquire. Just ask ask ask and ask again about everything you can think of. Its a lot of $$ but after researching for over a year they seem to be one of the "better" agencies.

CM

[Bjennifer]

Cm,

I actually called them yesterday and spokw with them. They did seem to answer my questions and were also open about them. I did not know anything about a problem with their license. Where did you find out the information, can you give me the number to call. I can't say that I have done as much researching and checking around as you have but they did come highly recommended from the agency that did our HS. I have a number of a couple here in NC that used them and I am planning on calling them this week to see what other informatin I can get. From what I have heard though is the couple was pleased enough that they are going back to them. If you do not mind, letting me know anymore information you get and I will do the same. Thanks so far.

[Cde3girl]

You can contact Janice (forgot her last name) but check on the Utah State homepage and do a search for adoption and should take you to the State Licensing (Agency) information and you can email Janice. She's very nice and Heart to Heart Adoptions also has problems there in Utah so I have been told.

[Bjennifer]

Thank you, I sent her an email to see what if anything there is. I guess we will. Thank You again

[Cde3girl]

You're welcome! Let us know what you find out...it's important to let people know. In our case, we didn't find out until after the adoption.

[Bjennifer]

Here is what Janice wrote back regarding A Act of Love:

Jennifer,



Thank you for your inquiry. A ACT OF LOVE received complaints in a case in 2001 in which rule violations resulted in the agency’s license being placed on conditional status from January 1, 2002 until April 4, 2002. This case was unusual for the agency, as it involved the placement of a sibling group of older children. Historically, more than 95 percent of the agency’s placements are infant placements. The agency acted promptly to address the problems, and will work carefully to avoid such problems in the future. The agency had no rule violations substantiated in 2002 and there have been none so far this year.


I would like to refer you to a couple of internet sites that might be helpful as you learn about the world of adoptions. Adoptive Families Magazine has a very useful website at www.adoptivefamilies.com, and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse at www.calib.com/naic has a comprehensive site. I recommend that you read as much as you can about adoption and/or see if any classes are offered in your community — either through a private agency or through community education programs.

Best wishes as you build your family by adoption.

Jan Knaphus


Janice P. Knaphus
Licensing Specialist
DHS Office of Licensing
120 North 200 West #303
Salt Lake City UT 84103
(801) 538-8222
jknaphus@utah.gov

Here is what Janice wrote back regarding A Act of Love:

[Bjennifer]

Well we did some more talking and researching about A Act of Love and we have decided to use them. I talked to a couple that has used them for their acoption and they told me that everyone there was great and someone was always available to anser your questions. My husband called them to to see how he felt and to see how well they answered his questions. All in all I hope my gut feeling is right. Thanks for listening. I will keep you posted Jennifer

[Cde3girl]

Just a little more encouragement with that agency, I am in several other groups and someone else asked about them and 4 people responded saying they were great, so good luck, and let us know how things go!

[mammadog]

I have never dealt directly with A Act of Love other than to request an info packet a couple years ago. However, in the state of Utah, A Act of Love has a rather questionable reputation among some of the other reputable local agencies. There are several reputable local agencies that deal exclusively with Utah birthmothers and Utah adoptive parents.

Then there are a few that are in the "business" of importing birthmothers in order to take advantage of Utah's lenient adoption laws. In the state of Utah, a birthmother can sign relinquishement papers 24 hours after giving birth. Once signed, she cannot change her mind. Birth fathers have few rights in the state of Utah. If a birthfather wishes to obtain parental rights he must file a petition prior to the baby's birth.

However, if the baby was conceived outside the state of Utah (as is the case with a high percentage of A Act of Love's adoptions), then the birthfather's rights are governed by the state in which the baby was conceived. This makes these adoptions a bit more risky.

Also, some of the local agencies that bring in birthmothers from out of state have a reputation for not supplying all the facts to the birthmom. I have heard stories of young expectant mothers who sign "adoption contracts" prior to the birth of the baby. These girls are led to believe that these contracts are binding when in fact they are not. I do not know if A Act of Love does this or not, but it is worth asking the question. The birthmother has the right to change her miind at any time up to the point in which she signs the relinquishment papers. A good agency will advise the birthmother prior to and after the birth of the baby that she CAN change her mind. If the agency does not do this, then they are truly doing a disservice to the birthmother.

My husband and I live in Utah and we adopted through an agency that deals only with Utah mothers and adoptive parents. Our first match fell through when the birthmom changed her mind the day after the baby was born. We were crushed and it was a truly horrible experience. However, it would have been worse to cause a lifetime of pain and remorse for this young mother. Three months later our son was born. He truly was the one we were meant to have.

I wish you luck with whatever agency you choose to deal with. I encourage you to ask lots and lots of questions and to make sure that the adoption is the right thing for you AND the birthparents. You are about to enter into a lifelong relationship. If it sounds too good to be true... if the wait seems magically short... then perhaps there is something wrong.

[Cde3girl]

Mammadog,

The laws that you expressed pertaining to the birthfather's rights being terminated has created a loophole in our adoption thanks to the agency we worked with who didn't supply us or the birthmother with these facts. I agree that you must approach situations very carefully!!!!