An adoption facilitator is not the same as an adoption agency or an adoption attorney. Adoption facilitators are unlicensed, unregulated individuals who play matchmaker for adoptive parents and birth parents, helping birth mothers find parents looking to adopt, and vice versa.
Are adoption facilitators legal in Arkansas?
Some states have outlawed adoption facilitators and others have laws restricting their actions. Arkansas has no laws regarding facilitators. That means that the work that they do is entirely legal in our state, and you can choose to work with this kind of service without legal concerns.
However, it also means that there are no legal restrictions. Anyone can claim to be an adoption facilitator. They can even call their organization an Adoption Law Clinic or Adoption Consultant. These organizations often consist of one person with no training or special qualifications. They often focus on offering financial support to birth mothers and a choice of babies to adoptive parents. They may offer counseling, but this does not mean that they have qualified counselors.
Adoption facilitators can charge whatever they choose — whatever the traffic will bear. They cannot complete a legal adoption, but they may put parents in touch with an adoption agency or adoption lawyer. People who use an adoption facilitator will still need to pay home study fees, legal fees, medical bills, and possibly financial support for the birth mother, as well as the facilitator’s fees.
The primary service adoption facilitators provide is matching birth mothers with would-be adoptive parents. This can be a valuable service, but it is important that you know what you are getting. If you look into adoption facilitators in Arkansas, be sure to ask about their qualifications and costs.
Are adoption facilitators necessary?
Some people wanting to grow their families through adoption like the idea of an adoption facilitator. They think that these services could find a child to adopt more quickly than an agency or attorney.
More than half of all states outlaw adoption facilitators. The reason for this is simple: since they are not licensed or regulated, there can be ethical questions about their practices. The risks may outweigh the benefits.
Certainly, they are not necessary for an adoption. If you are considering working with an adoption facilitator, be sure to do your homework before you sign up. Check their qualifications and credentials, ask them for references, and make sure there is a clear contract that lays out their services and the costs.
One thing that is definitely necessary for an adoption is an adoption lawyer. Heimer Law specializes in adoption. Unlike general family law firms, we work specifically with adoptions. This gives us a level of expertise and experience that is unmatched. Justin Heimer his a member of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys and has an advanced degree in Counseling. Contact us with our simple intake form or call (479) 225-9725 for a free consultation.
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