Archives for September 2019

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Adopting

Mistakes to Avoid Making When Adopting

Couples who are planning on adopting a child may be new to the process, which carries with it many challenges and complexities. The good news is that approximately 98 percent of adoptions are successful, but there are instances where mistakes are made and issues develop. If you want to avoid delays and potential problems, it’s important to be aware of a few common mistakes that many people make when trying to adopt.

A Lack of Legal Assistance

It can be challenging to understand all of the terms and fine print with all of the paperwork that must be completed throughout the adoption process. It’s important to obtain legal assistance with the help of a New Jersey adoption lawyer to ensure that you can get guidance from a professional. Your lawyer can explain every document you need to sign and inform you of your rights. Your attorney can also offer tips on how to try and make the process a quicker one.

Failing to Respect the Birth Family

Although the adoptive parents are legally responsible for the child once the adoption is complete, it’s still important to respect the biological mother and father. Regardless of the birth parents’ background or why they chose to put their child up for adoption, they still deserve respect. Depending on the type of adoption you’re considering, the biological parents could still be allowed involvement with their child. This is especially the case with open adoptions where the birth parents are generally allowed some form of contact whether in person, over the phone, through texts, etc. If you’re planning an open adoption, you’ll want to remain cordial with the biological mother and father to make the situation easy on your adopted child.

Not Knowing the Rules

Some adoptive parents make the mistake of not conducting enough research on the adoption process ahead of time, which can make it easy to break a few rules along the way. During the adoption education process, it’s essential to work closely with the adoption agency to understand the state’s guidelines. New laws are created each year to protect adopted children, especially when it comes to what can be posted on social media. Inquire about the guidelines with the agency to ensure you protect yourself and the child without suffering any legal ramifications that could risk the adoption being completed.

 

Failing to Do Your Homework

It’s essential to do your homework in advance before starting the adoption to ensure you know what to expect. There are many variables when it comes to the cost, the time frame, the paperwork that must be submitted, and the medical history of the child. Failing to research the different issues can lead to an unsuccessful adoption due to a lack of funds or not enough information. Even leaving the country for a specific period of time can affect the process, which makes it necessary to understand everything that is expected of you if you want to adopt as soon as possible. You can encounter significant delays and complications if you fail to do your research. You’ll want to work closely with a legal professional to understand the guidelines as well as your rights.

Becoming a Victim to Scams

Many hopeful parents become victims of scams while looking to adopt. Avoid a few red flags when finding the right agency to use. One red flag includes having to provide money up front before the adoption process is complete. You’ll also need to use a qualified professional to handle all of the financial transactions to ensure that mistakes aren’t made when signing your name on different documents.

Working closely with an adoption lawyer can also allow you to use someone who is licensed to handle adoptions and will spot any red flags while facilitating the process. Look for a New Jersey adoption lawyer instead of attempting to arrange an adoption on your own for the first time.

Contact Cofsky & Zeidman in Haddonfield at (856) 429-5005 or in Woodbury at (856) 845-2555 to learn more about common mistakes to avoid making when you’re ready to begin the adoption process. With the help of an adoption attorney, you’ll be more prepared to adopt a child.

What to Know About Open Adoptions

Top Pros and Cons of Open Adoptions

Those who are looking to adopt a child should understand that open adoptions are now considered to be the standard form of adoption. In fact, 95% of adoptions are considered open adoptions. The process works to provide a better relationship between the adoptive parents and the child to ensure there’s a mutual agreement for less conflict or complications that can develop.

Pro: Medically Informed

Adoptive parents can have peace of mind knowing that they’ll be medically informed of the child’s health and well-being with an open adoption. Parents are provided an extensive medical history of the child and even obtain new information over time. It can be easier to care for the child both now and in the future if all of the details are disclosed in advance. Parents can also avoid surprises in the future if they aren’t left in the dark about their adopted child’s medical history.

Con: Extended Family

If there’s extended family that is involved with the open adoption process, it can complicate it for the adoptive parents. There may be more paperwork to fill out and submit if the child has siblings or comes from a Native American family. There can also be a higher risk of a legal battle if the extended family learns that the child is going to be adopted. Tribal members and siblings have rights that allow them to visit the child even if they’re not closely related to the individual. For adoptive parents, this could prove to be challenging and may require flexibility with working with the family members on when they want to spend time with the child.

Pro: Provide Adoptees With Information on Their Background

Open adoptions can offer emotional relief and comfort to adoptive children by allowing them to obtain information on their biological parents. Adoptees can have detailed knowledge of their background, which can provide them with access to their birth parents when they get older. The birth parents can be known and accessible, which can provide kids with information on their adoption story. For many children, this can help their emotional well-being and prevent them from having confusion about where they come from as they get older.

The adoptive parents will also have knowledge of the child’s family history, such as the birth parents’ characteristics. Those who choose to meet the birth parents ahead of time can be more prepared for the adoption process compared to not meeting the parents at all.

Con: Less Anonymity

In most cases, there’s less anonymity that comes with open adoptions, which can allow the birth parents to have full access and knowledge of the adoptive parents’ information. Some people may feel less protected with an open adoption. The birth parents may be able to access names, email addresses, and phone numbers. For some adoptive parents, this can be a concern and cause them to worry about if they’ll be contacted in the future by the birth parents. It can also lead to legal conflicts or issues that require the help of our NJ adoption lawyer.

Pro: Peace of Mind to Birth Parents

For birth parents who choose to put their child up for adoption, it can be easy to have a sense of loss when separating from their child. Open adoptions can offer comfort and peace of mind by allowing the birth parents to be involved in their child’s future. They can still have control over the process and avoid feeling like all communication or contact is completely cut off. For the child, this can also help their emotional development and help them thrive in their adoptive home.

Contact Cofsky & Zeidman to learn more about open adoptions and protect yourself through the process with the services of a legal professional. With the help of our NJ adoption lawyer, you can learn more about your rights. Call our Haddonfield office at (856) 429-5005 or our Woodbury office at (856) 845-2555 to speak with a legal counselor.

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