Many families in Illinois would love to have children, but are unable to for one reason or another. There are options available for these families and many of them will turn to adoption in order to have children. There are also many women in Illinois who have children before they are ready to be mothers or who know they will not be able to properly care for their children. As a result, adoption entails family legal issues for both adoptive parents as well as for biological parents.
In response to this issue, in 2001 Illinois passed a safe haven law. This law allows parents to legally abandon their newborn within 30 days of the child’s birth. The parents simply need to bring the child to a designated fire station, police station or hospital and inform them that they are leaving their child. These children are then evaluated at a hospital and placed with adoptive families. Many times the children avoid foster care and are quickly with a new family. Since the law was passed over 100 children have been saved due to this law.
Adoption can be very rewarding for both the new parents, the biological parents and the child. This safe haven law helps ensure that children are properly cared for and it also gives loving families the chance to have children or grow their existing family.
Adoption is an area of family law that can be a complicated process, as most of the time it does not occur as quickly as it does through the safe haven law. There are also different kinds of adoptions such as step-parent adoptions or private adoptions through agencies. It is also a highly detailed process that can take some time, but it can be very rewarding at the same time.
The safe haven law in Illinois has created many adoption opportunities for families seeking to adopt children. However, there are many families looking to adopt who are seeking adoption through other methods. Experienced attorneys understand the detailed nature of adoptions and may be crucial resources as families go through the process.
Source: ctpost.com, “Advocates tout success of Illinois safe haven law,” Jayson Keyser, Dec. 6, 2014