[Sylvester]

A family friend contact my husband, she is pg and thinking she doesn't want to parent. She knows we are adoptive parents and she thought of us. We know nothing of private adoption. We know nothing of adoption in VA where she is. We are on the other side of the country. Can anyone give us some direction??? We are trying to find out things like can a bf sign away his rights before birth? How long before a ** can sign over her rights? I read that a ** has to have a social worker, does this have to be through an agency? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[tobeafamily]

Hi,

We live in Virginia and have adopted. As to your questions:

1. Pbfather cannot terminate rights before birth. He can however deny paternity at any time before or after birth.

2. Pbmom (and pbdad if he chooses to assert paternity and it's not contested) can sign her consent to terminate at any time after birth. Once signed, at least pbmom must appear in court 10 days after to re-affirm consent to termination. She/he can reclaim at any time during this period. From there, bpparents hav 15 days to reclaim before their rights close. So, there are a total of 25 days post-TPR where the child can be reclaimed for any reason. After that only proof of fraud or duress can reverse termination of rights.

3. Virginia requires that all parental placement adoptions have exchange of identifying information and documentation of a 'face to face meeting' between pa and pbparents. This can be done using an agency or attorney as the 'witness'.

I'm not sure where this young lady is. I can highly recommend an experienced adoption attorney in Southeastern Virginia (Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Newport News area) if you'd like. Please just PM me.

HTH

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas