Archives for January 2020

Reasons People Adopt Children

5 More Reasons People Decide to Adopt

Adoption is a common legal solution that brings people from many different walks of life together for a multitude of reasons. In 2017 in New Jersey, roughly 1,089 adoptions were finalized within the state, and all had different circumstances. The following are a few of the more common circumstances that lead people to adopt, and you can contact a New Jersey adoption lawyer if any of these situations sounds like yours.

1. Adoption Helps Children

The simplest reason that compels many prospective parents to adopt is knowing they will help a child in the end. Children who may otherwise remain in foster homes, orphanages, or inherently unhealthy situations receive a host of opportunities when loving parents adopt them. Adoptive parents are generally in a better position to give their children the individual attention, affection, and financial support a child may not otherwise receive while in care of the state. Furthermore, children who are adopted are more likely to form a healthy bond with their adoptive parents and feel a sense of belonging in their new families.

2. Adoption Eliminates the Potential for Medical Complications

Infertility is not the only medical reason that may compel a couple to adopt. In some cases, either partner may have a medical condition that can make it dangerous for them to reproduce biologically. By adopting, these couples avoid the potential of pregnancy and delivery complications, genetic disorders, worsening heart conditions, and any other reason a doctor may recommend a couple to avoid procreating.

3. Some Parents Have a Gender Preference

Parents who would prefer to raise a child of a specific gender may safely do so when they opt to adopt. These parents may choose to adopt a child of virtually any age and avoid the pressure and potential conflict that is inherent in having gender expectations of a child prior to learning the unborn child’s sex.

4. Some Parents Would Prefer to Raise Older Children

Raising a newborn is difficult and requires a major lifestyle adjustment. Therefore, some prospective parents would prefer to adopt an older child. Adding a child into your family will always require major change. However, some parents are better able to care for a child who is more independent and old enough to attend school while the parent works. Older children also tend to remain in the adoption system longer than babies; therefore, adopting an older child directly addresses a need by providing a loving home to a boy or girl who may be more likely to be overlooked.

5. A Child in the Family May Require Help

In some cases, a family member may be unable to care for the child. Often, other family members wish to keep the child within the family. Therefore, an adult relative may legally adopt and care for the child. Doing so may allow the boy or girl to continue to have a relationship with his or her biological parent and feel like a valued member of the family even though the biological parent may not be able to care for the child.

No two adoption cases are identical. By allowing an attorney to walk you through the entire process, you can potentially avoid unnecessarily prolonging the process and wasting extra financial expenses. Your attorney will also help you ensure the terms of your adoption are spelled out as clearly as possible for your protection. There are different paths you can take to arrive at your ultimate goal of adopting a child. Obtaining the help of an experienced attorney will give you the peace of mind in knowing your adoption process is fully compliant with all applicable laws. If you believe adoption may be a life change you would like to pursue, contact an experienced New Jersey adoption lawyer at Cofsky & Zeidman by calling our Haddonfield office at (856) 249-5005 today. You can reach our Woodbury office at (856) 845-2555.

Tips for Choosing a Child to Adopt

A Guide to Choosing a Child to Adopt

Roughly 135,000 children are adopted in the United States in a given year. Children can be adopted either from families currently living in the United States or from agencies in foreign countries. Ideally, you will spend time carefully considering the type of child you would like to adopt and why before you start the process in earnest.

Will You Adopt Domestically or Internationally?

Generally speaking, it can be easier to adopt a child who currently resides in the United States as opposed to those who live internationally. This is because foreign nations may have stricter adoption guidelines compared to those imposed by American agencies. For instance, foreign countries may require that you be married, that you make a certain amount of money or that you aren’t a partner in a same-sex relationship.

When you request to adopt a child in the United States, you typically only have to show that doing so would be in the child’s best interest. In some cases, it may also be necessary to obtain permission from the child’s birth parents before the adoption can be finalized. However, this may not be the case if the parent has already had his or her rights terminated.

How Old Will Your Preferred Child Be?

You may have the opportunity to adopt a child who is only a few weeks or months old. However, there will also likely be an opportunity to adopt an older child or teenager. Your choice will typically depend on whether you want to raise a child from the beginning or simply act as a mentor to someone who needs direction in his or her life.

Of course, it is important to understand that raising a child isn’t easy regardless of how old he or she may be. Children of all ages will need both emotional and financial support for many years after they come into your home, and older children may need more time to become comfortable with the idea that you are going to be there for them for the rest of their lives.

Will You Adopt a Child With Special Needs?

A child who has an emotional or developmental disability can still grow up to be a productive member of society. It is also possible for a child who has special needs to learn, understand and follow household rules that you create. However, you will generally need to show a greater level of patience with those who have mental or physical disabilities.

It is possible that an adoption agency will want you to attend classes or take other steps in preparation to raise a child with special needs. Taking these steps may provide you with greater confidence that you are ready to face the special challenges that you may encounter. A New Jersey adoption attorney may be able to provide any additional details about the process of taking in a special-needs son or daughter.

Is Race or Gender a Concern?

You may be allowed to choose the race or gender of the child you would like to adopt. Therefore, it may be something that you will want to consider as part of doing your due diligence. While there is nothing wrong with preferring a child of one gender over the other, it is important to note that it can be rewarding to raise any child regardless of what he or she looks like. It is also worth considering that friends, family members and other resources may be available to help you handle any challenging situations that you may encounter while raising your adopted son or daughter.

If you are looking to add a new member to your family, Donald Cofsky, the New Jersey adoption attorney from Cofsky & Zeidman, may be able to help. Call our Haddonfield office by dialing (856) 429-5005 or our Woodbury office by dialing (856) 845-2555.

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