DEAR ADOPTING PARENTS

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Legal Services: California Clients
Legal Services: Out of State Clients
Frequently Asked Questions

Legal Services: California Clients

WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO CLIENTS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA. Unlike some agencies with specific guidelines, there are no age, race, ethnic, religious or sexual orientation barriers to who may adopt either in the state or in our office. Clients do not need to have a perfect history to adopt - do not be put off if you have health issues, prior marriages, or other problems in your past. We work with clients who are already matched with a birth parent and others who need our assistance to locate a birth parent. We provide all requisite legal services before and after birth to assure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. California offers its residents two parallel legal processes: an independent adoptive placement and an agency adoptive placement:

In an independent adoption, the birth mother is provided personal information legally subscribed about the adoptive parents and “chooses” them to adopt her baby. A social worker, known as an adoption service provider, advises and counsels the birth parent before the birth about her rights and the legal process. After the birth, the social worker revisits the birth parent to witness the signing of her consent to the adoption. While the birth parent has 30 days to revoke consent, she usually signs a waiver of the right to revoke within a week if she, too, resides in California, and a couple days after birth, if she resides out of state.

In an agency adoption, a birth mother can relinquish her rights to the agency wherein the agency will make the decision who will adopt the baby. This is the traditional agency placement; however, agencies now allow birth parents to have involvement in choosing the adoptive parents whether closed (anonymous) or open (identified). In identified agency placements, the agency does not usually introduce or “match” the birth parents and adoptive parents, but does provide services: a social worker will counsel the birth parent prior to birth and a couple days after birth, will have that parent sign a relinquishment of rights which, with limited exceptions, is irrevocable right away. If the birth parent resides out of state, the California agency will enlist the assistance of a licensed agency in that state to assist.

Prospective clients should be forewarned not to rely on this information which, at best, is a snapshot of a complicated legal process. Interstate adoptions may have entirely different legal requirements including compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Clients may have yet another choice to adopt in the state where the baby is being born.

The Law Offices of Karen R. Lane
Specializing in:
Independent Adoptions; Agency Adoptions; Interstate Adoptions; Adult Adoptions;
Step-Parent Adoptions; Guardianships; Mediation

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