Legal Issues

planadoption.com - for those facing unplanned pregnancy

Is Adoption Permanent?

Yes. Two to four weeks after your baby is born, you will need to attend a short release hearing where a judge or referee of the court makes sure you understand what your rights are and that you’re certain about your adoption plan. Once you sign papers in court, your release becomes final.

Soon after the release hearing, the adoptive parents submit their adoption petition to the court and the child legally becomes a permanent member of the adoptive family.

Does the Birth Father Have Any Rights?

The birth father may choose to be involved in the adoption plan and receive counseling from the agency as well as participate in the legal process. When a birth father goes through the adoption process with the birth mother, he often comes to agree that adoption is in the best interest of the child.

If the birth father does not agree with the adoption plan, he will be kept informed and notified of the court date for you to release your parental rights. He may appear at that hearing to request custody of the baby. At the time, the judge will conduct a hearing to determine what is in the best interest of the child.

You’ll need to provide your caseworker with any information that you have regarding the birth father. This will help the adoption process go more smoothly. If you’re unsure about where the birth father is, we’ll handle the process of trying to determine his whereabouts.

Will I See My Baby in the Future?

The laws which regulate contact after adoptive placement are moving toward more openness. Most states now have programs which make personal contact possible. Make your wish for future contact known to your caseworker and she will be able to accurately inform you about how the program for contact works at the present time.