Adoption is a big step for many parents and families, but it is also exciting. People considering adoption should be familiar with the different types of adoptions and how the legal process can help guide them.
Important tools and resources are available through the family law system to help potential parents and families through the adoption process, which can sometimes be an emotional journey. The different types of adoptions provide different options for potential parents and families to allow them to choose the best option to grow and expand their family.
Adoptions can be done through a public or private adoption agency. The status of children available for adoption can vary by the type of agency the potential parents or family decide to work with, so parents considering adoption should be aware of the differences. Adoptions can also be done independently if the potential parents are working with a birth mother, doctor or member of the clergy, for example, or adoption can be handled through identification if the potential parents have identified a child available for adoption and then have an adoption agency handle the process for them. Other adoption options can include international adoptions, relative adoptions, stepparent adoptions, and adult adoptions.
Adoption is an important legal process that can give potential parents and families the opportunity to grow. As a result, parents considering adoption should be aware of the different types of adoptions and the different options available to them and how the legal process can help them navigate their adoption.