[cozy]

Can any tell me what the laws are about adoption in Alabama? We live in NY and wanted to know if Alabama was an adoption friendly state? whether you had to go through an agency or not? anything you can tell us about it, would be very helpful. thanks
Jill

[Linny]

I'm not from Alabama......but I saw your post and thought this might help. I know of another site....but I surely can't find it this late at night!!!!! Some of this info may be a little dated, I don't know.....but it will at least give you a start?

http://www.adoptionsolutions.com/general/state_laws.htm



Hope this helps you some.


Sincerely,

Linny

[angeluv]

Adoption laws in Alabama are very friendly. We are Alabama residents so I can't attest to any laws that relate to adoptions involving aparents who're not state residents. Finalization takes place in 90 days which I think is excellent. This I'm certain of. I'm a little fuzzy on the time line for reliquishment since it's been two years since our adoption but I think the birth parents have 3 days to change their minds (no questions asked). There is an additional 14 days in which they can change their minds but they have to petition the court and go before a judge to defend why they're changing their minds. After the 14 days, that's where I get fuzzy. In the case of an unknown father, they're required to advertise in the legal papers of any locations in the local paper on any area in which a potential father may be located. There was a punitive father's list that was being contested and quite frankly I don't think enforceable which I think no longer exists. I don't remember the ins and outs of that either because our child's birthfather was known. After placement we had two post placement visits and the finalization took place in 90 days. These are very sketchy details and I'm not certain exactly what you're looking for but if you have specific questions I would be happy to answer if I can remember any of the details. Angeluv

[maxmom]

I agree with angeluv, the laws in Alabama are great. We went through a Christian agency. They handled everything for us. The birthmother got to choose us. We got that call on July 23rd, 2002. She was due in August and was wondering if we were willing to meet her. At first we were hestitant but now I'm thankful we did. My son was born August 10th, 2002. He was in the hospital until August 12th. He went to foster parents who we were allowed to contact every day as much as we wanted. We brought him home on August 16th. The adoption was final November 25th.

The birthmother signed off on her rights on August 12th. There is a 5 days waiting period from the time she signs over her rights and 5 days from giving birth (whichever happens last, so even if she signs over her rights during pregnancy she would still have 5 days after birth to change her mind). So we took our son home a day early because the 5th day fell on a Saturday and I could not wiat the whole weekend for him. Then from day 6 to 14 the birthmother would have to petition the court and prove that she was deceived by the agency and the she would be a better provider than the adoptive parents. All this applies to teh birthfather as well but in our case he was not around.
The punitive father registry is still in effect. I think this has to be checked at 30 days after birth. Then a article has to be published in a legal journal saying "so-n-so gave birth to a ... on this date..." the add has to be in the legal journal for 30 days and then you have to wait an additional 30 days for a response.

In our case he did not come forward so the birthfather was charged with pre-birth abandonment and his rights were automatically terminated. And then we had the adoption day

Hope this helps. Our adoption costs were about $14,000 total. If you are looking for a cheaper program you may want to contact the state of Illinois. You can get infants for under $1,000 through the state. My girlfriend adopted twice this way. she got both of her children at 2 months old.

We only met with the birthmother that one time and we agreed to send letters and pictures annually to the agency until our son was 13. It's up to her to contact the agency and get the letters and pictures.

Good luck,
Christine

[maxmom]

Shamock,
One of the first thing people learn when pursuing adoption is that unfortunately the system is designed as a business. It was a harsh reality for us and we struggled with that for a very long time. It does desensitize you as well when others ask about the process. I'm sorry but I'm an honest person and I don't "fluff" words. I also believe that couples who are starting the adoption process should have all the information rather than a idealic perspective.

And if you will notice this couple was from New York (not from Alabama) so I was not sure why they thought Alabama might be better than other states. Cost is a major factor for some couples. Some couples just can not afford the high costs of some adoptions and although we did not adopt from Illinois I have heard great thigns about their program. And furthermore the State of Alabama does not offer a program for infants, just 3 years old and up.

I'm sorry that you took offense to my honesty. Good luck with your search for your son.

[rebeccasusan]

We are from Wisconsin and also adopted from alabama. In our case, everything went very smoothly. The only difference was, we did have to return to alabama for the finalization hearing, and besides the agency fees, we had to hire an attorne there. However, it was SO worth it, our son has finally found us, and he is perfect.

[happy6]

www.legislature.state.al.us go tosearch query on adoption code of alabama 1975 sections 26-10a-1 to
26-10a-38
that is all the policies/laws for alabama.

[gail/john]

Alabama is NOT GOOD FOR ADOPTION. We have been struggling for over six months even though we were approved to adopt in Tennessee. We are not going to give up. We will continue to pursue adoption in Alabama even if it means sueing to ge the children represented in a timely manner.

[gail/john]

I'm sorry, I meant "get the children" not "ge the children". Duh...

[GretschDrummer]

We had no problem adopting in Alabama. If this is your first adoption, what are comparing it to to make such harsh comments about our state?

[GretschDrummer]

Oh...and six months is nothing! Try 4 years.

[gail/john]

I am not being "harsh" on your state. I'm glad you did not have a problem. Unfortunately, we are trying to adopt an older child from DHR and it took us 9 months and an attorney just to get our home study completed. Don't dismiss other's concerns just because you did not have problems.

[angeluv]

I too adopted in Alabama and found the laws very conducive toward adoption. However, I adopted an infant through an agency and not the state's DHR program. I think gretschdrummer was being a little protective of the state because overall.....the laws are good in comparison to a lot.....and I mean a lot of other states. However that doesn't mean there aren't going to be some complex adoptions because all adoption situations are not the same. In gail/john's defense, I have not heard very many positive things said about adoption through DHR in Alabama. That's purely hear-say because again, I didn't adopt through the state. When dealing with older child adoptions where DHR is concerned, their first line of recourse is to rehabilitate the family and make sure no other family members desire to adopt the child(ren). It is my understanding it is cumbersome and very lengthy. I did in fact contact DHR about a possible 2nd adoption and was very put off by my conversation with the social worker. She spent more time downplaying agency adoptions when I mentioned my first was through an agency. You would think she would be excited and helpful toward someone who was interested in reducing their case load. I can't help but wonder whether Gail/John's problem is more with DHR than the laws themselves. Angeluv