An unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Ideally, a mom will be able to work with her partner and family to make a decision about parenting the child or relinquishing the baby for adoption. The best case scenario would be making that decision early in the pregnancy so she will have the support and resources she needs. She can make her adoption plan, choose the right family for her baby, and feel confident about her decision.
That’s the ideal, though. In real life, sometimes she may feel overwhelmed and uncertain. She may face difficult circumstances that keep her from thinking calmly about her situation. She may even just put off thinking about the baby until the last minute — when the baby is born. Sometimes the decision to give the baby an adoptive family isn’t made until the baby is born, or even until the baby has already gone home with the mom. Does that mean that it is too late to make the decision?
Last minute adoptions
This kind of adoption is often called a last minute adoption. It is completely legal, and you will find plenty of support for your decision. If you have a baby in a hospital and decide that you do not want to keep the baby, you can talk with a nurse or ask to see a social worker. These workers will listen to you and ask some questions for their paperwork, and they will put you in touch with adoption professionals who can help facilitate the process.
It’s important to know that there are no penalties and no legal issues involved in making this decision. Even if you have already taken the baby home when you realize that adoption is what you want for your child, you can call the hospital or an adoption lawyer to begin the legal work involved.
Will the baby go into foster care?
If you were to leave the baby at the hospital without making any arrangements — and it is not against the law to do that — the hospital’s social worker can put the baby into DHS care until an adoptive family is found. However, that is not the only option. Under Arkansas law, the baby can go directly to an adoptive family. Fortunately, there are many families in Arkansas who have been through the process of qualifying to adopt a child, and are waiting for a child to bring to their loving home.
It is also possible to place the baby with a guardian temporarily until a suitable family is found. It is also legal under Arkansas law to relinquish the baby to an adoption lawyer. In these cases, your child will not be in foster care at any point.
If you have waited until the last minute and now need help urgently, call Heimer Law at (479) 225.9725. We are experienced, expert adoption lawyers, and we can help.
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