[fuzzymommy]

My half-sister just had a baby in Feb of this year, she does not feel that she can raise the baby (she has 3 other children she is barely supporting). She is in this country on a temporary visa from Barbados when she got pregnant and had her baby (in SC). It is my understanding that the baby is a US citizen. My sister would like to give the baby a better home than she can provide and would like to give the baby to me and my husband. She would like to stay with us (here in VA) for a month before she decides.

If she decides she wants to go through with this does she have to SC to begin this process? Like I said we are going to be speaking with a lawyer but I would like to have some idea so I can ask the right questions. The bfather isn't in the picture he ran off and left her when she got pregnant.

help.

[sugarmuffin]

I think getting a lawyer(that knows ins laws) would be the best thing and don't worry about what questions to ask. They will guide you through the process some offer free consultations so you can get the information without paying anything.

Goodluck and keep us posted.

P.S You are right about the child being a U.S. Citizen but if the birth mother's Visa issues you really need a lawyer.

[codysmama]

I live in Virginia, and adopted my son from my sister-in-law, so I am pretty familiar with this process. My sister-in-law lived in Delaware at the time she became pregnant, and then moved to stay with us. You should definately contact a lawyer in Virginia. If there is a need from them to contact S Carolina they will handle all of that for you. In our case we only had to deal with Virginia. Overall the process was fairly smooth. We had a great attorney. If the birthfather is known, an attempt to contact him and get him to sign to consent to the adoption is a must. Regardless of whether or not he is involved with the child.