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Adoption is a big decision that many families happily make together. Though adopting a new member into your family is a joyous occasion, understanding the necessary legal steps can be challenging. The good news is that LegalShield can help.
Here are a few questions to consider as you consider domestic adoption:
- Do you understand the requirements to adopt? Each state has different laws,
regulations, and policies. - Do you have consent to adopt? Generally, whoever holds custody over the child you
hope to adopt—for example, the agency, current guardian, foster parent, court, or
close relative—must consent to your adoption. - Are you planning to adopt an infant? A pre-teen? At a basic level, you need to know
what your family is ready for. Completing a family profile and home study will help you
match with children you can support. - Are you considering an open or closed adoption? These are differentiated by how
much contact exists or whether information is shared between the child and their birth
family. It can be a delicate process to work through.
Several good resources exist to help you learn about the adoption process, including the Child Welfare Information Gateway (a resource of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
If you are enrolled in LegalShield and contemplating adoption, contact your lawyer, who can provide expert advice throughout the process. If you do not have legal protection, consider enrolling at your next opportunity.