Today’s adoption process differs entirely from a few decades ago. Before, a birth mother didn’t know who adopted her child or where they went. Now, the expectant mother or birth mother makes all of the decisions.
If you are considering placing your child for adoption, take a closer look at the many forms it can take. Although it may be difficult, knowing you have control of the process provides the comfort and assurance you need.
Types of Adoption
Adoption is not co-parenting. Placing your child for adoption legally transfers all rights and responsibilities of raising the child from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.
Private Domestic Adoption
Every state has different laws regarding private domestic adoption, so working with a licensed adoption coordinator who understands your state’s laws is vital. A domestic adoption means the child and both biological and adoptive parents are from the United States.
The expectant mother (and father, if available) can select an adoptive couple before their child is born. Even if you have already given birth, you can still choose the adoptive couple who will raise your child.
You can select from various adoption plans: open, semi-open, or closed. Today, the majority of private domestic adoptions are either open or semi-open.
Open and semi-open adoptions provide contact between the adoptive family and the birth family. A semi-open adoption is also known as a mediated adoption plan because your adoption coordinator handles all communication between the parties. It provides more privacy than an open adoption.
A closed adoption does not allow for communication between the birth parents and the adoptive family. The courts seal all records, and there is no contact.
Kinship Adoption
With Kinship Adoption, a person closely related to the child, such as grandparents, an aunt, uncle, or older sibling, legally adopts the child. Once again, the courts must legally terminate the birth parents’ rights first.
Often, Kinship Adoption occurs because the birth parents are unfit to care for their child, either because of neglect, addiction, or trouble with the law. This type of adoption keeps the children from entering the foster care system.
Foster Adoption
When a child enters the foster care system, the system places them with a foster family. Over time, the birth mother and father must meet specific requirements to raise their child once again. If they do not meet those requirements, the child becomes eligible for adoption, and often their foster family legally adopts them.
Working With A Loving Option Adoption
We are a full-service, child-placing agency licensed in the state of Tennessee. As a private domestic adoption agency, we work closely with each birth family as they decide if adoption is right for them.
A Loving Option Adoption does not provide Kinship Adoption or adoption from Foster Care. Our birth parents voluntarily choose to place their child for adoption. We are affiliated with Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, although being Catholic is not a requirement to work with us.
If you are considering placing your child for adoption, please contact us. We don’t require you to commit to an adoption plan to speak with us. We’re happy to answer your questions, explain the process, and help you evaluate your situation without a commitment.
Please complete our online Contact Form or call or text us at (865) 684-1894 to schedule an appointment. We’re happy to speak with you regardless of whether you work with us. We’re here for you.