Private Adoptions?

thefarmchick

Here's my long story...

My nephew and his girlfriend got pregnant, she is 17 and the baby is due next month.  There is a possibility that the baby does not belong to my nephew.  If they do a paternity test and this is true his g/f is planning on putting the baby up for adoption.

My husband and I are discussing that if this is the case WE would like to adopt the baby but I don't know all the steps we would need to go through. Have you done a private adoption just through lawyers?

What steps did you take?

 We are not even sure if this baby will be available for adoption but we'd like to know the options...

jacksjerseygirl

Yes, you can work solely lawyers in most states - I think there are only a couple states that require you use an official agency. I would google adoption attorney/lawyer for your state. You might find some recommendations over on adoption.com under the community forum too. They have a running thread over there.

I don't know if this would be considered a kinship adoption? In which case some of this might be altered from a 'regular' private domestic adoption. Some potential/likey things that will need to happen at some point (some of which may happen after placement):

- home study and background checks - dependent on your state's laws (a SW evaluates your family and home generally before placement as well as post placement until adoption finalization which can take up to a year but generally 6 months) you will be responsible financially for this service,

- your state may require that the birth parents receive a specific number of our of counseling before relinquishing their rights to parent - you will be responsible financially for this service,

- medical expenses for the birth mother and baby though a good attorney will have someone on staff that can assist birth mother with getting medicaid retroactive if she doesn't have insurance and if your own personal health insurance will not cover the baby until after placement then they can also get the baby signed up for medicaid to help with the medical expenses,

- legal expenses for yourself and the birth mother (who will need a separate attorney),

- potential living expenses

Good luck!

anonomity

You could also try the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys https://www.adoptionattorneys.org/. I believe there is a directory where you can look for an attorney in your state.