An adoption agency does the work of networking and connecting with the community to identify expectant mothers or new moms considering adoption. Adoption agencies provide support for the women in these situations, and put them in touch with potential adoptive parents. At the same time, adoption agencies identify prospective adoptive parents and help them connect with mothers considering adoption. Agency adoption facilitates connections between these groups of people.
The agency provides the care and resources the expectant mother may need while connecting her with profiles of adoptive parents to review. The mother chooses the adoptive family among the profiles, and upon the match, will move forward in the adoption process.
What is the difference between private and agency adoption?
Agency adoption is the most first of adoption most people think of when they think about adopting. The other form of adoption, Private Adoption, describes a situation where the adoptive parents and birth mother have agreed to work together and do not need to be matched or to rely on the extra resources of an agency to facilitate the process.
Since adoption is a legal process, the same legal steps are required for an agency adoption and for a private adoption. There will need to be a Home Study, an adoption petition, and a court order.
What is the cost to adopt through an agency?
The cost of adopting through an agency can be pretty high. I’ve seen as low as $17,000 and as high as $60,000. Here in Arkansas, the cost can average somewhere between $20,000 and $35,000 dollars. This will cover the majority of your expenses. It’s a lot of money, but this is an important investment.
You want to have an experienced group known for providing ethical adoptions taking care of both the adoptive parents and the birth mother, and that can be costly. However, the investment might be worth it to you to ensure an ethical adoption and a successful placement.
Do you have to go through an agency to adopt?
No, but you may choose to use a licensed agency if you want the support an agency provides for both you and the expectant mother or birth mother. The agency will handle a lot of the burdens and frustrations that might come with adoption. They are going to work with that expectant mother and make sure her needs are met. They will also make sure you are trained and ready for your adoption. The agency itself may provide the training and oftentimes they’ll provide your home study, too. As a license, experienced agency, they will ensure the adoption is done ethically.
How do I get started adopting from an agency?
If you’re considering agency adoption, one of the first things to do is to call a few good agencies in your area. Heimer Law works with a variety of Arkansas adoption agencies. Feel free to call us with any questions you may have about this or any aspect of adoption. Heimer Law specializes in adoption, and we have extensive experiences with all kinds of adoption journeys.
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