Once you decide to grow your family through adoption — what do you do next? You’ve probably been thinking about this idea for a while before you decide to take the first steps to adopt a child. Now that you’re ready, what should you do to get from here to your goal of adding a child to your family through adoption?
Educate yourself
You may already have read some things, take with some people, or asked friends and family about their experiences. Once you’ve decided that adoption is for you, it’s time to narrow your search. Some of the questions you should consider:
- Do you want an open or a closed adoption?
- Would you prefer an agency or a private adoption?
- Do you want to adopt a newborn or an older child?
- Are you open to a special needs child?
- Are there some characteristics that are very important to you in a child?
All these questions can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s smart to learn and think about these issues before you begin your adoption journey.
Browse our website for lots of information and inspiration.
Choose an adoption lawyer
Adoption is a legal process, and you need an adoption lawyer. Many family law firms focus more on divorce. Heimer Law specializes in adoption. That means that we have the expertise and experience to guide and support you through the adoption journey.
Adoption law is complex, and you will invest a lot of time and emotional energy in the adoption process. Don’t take chances by trying to manage without an adoption lawyer. Heimer Law offers free initial consultation.
Prepare for the home study
The home study is one of the first steps to adopt a child. A licensed social worker will interview you and visit your home to make sure that you are prepared to bring a child into your life. Some hopeful adoptive parents find during this part of the process that they really aren’t ready — that they need to make some preparations before they begin to talk with birth moms or to fill out forms.
Others discover that they are ready, or that they just need to make a few changes to ensure that their home is safe or to track down a few documents.
Join the ranks of waiting parents
Once you have completed your home study, you can begin to explore your options. Arkansas birth mothers can choose the families they want for their offspring’s home. That makes your profile important, and preparing that profile is a good use of your time while you wait.
Rest assured that Hemier Law will be with you through the entire journey. That means that contacting us for your free initial consultation should be one of your first steps to adopt a child. Call us at (479) 225-9725 or use our simple Inquiry Form.
Inquiry Form