An unplanned pregnancy can be shocking, devastating, and overwhelming. You may want to talk to a close friend, your mom, your pastor, or your doctor. You may not want to talk to anyone. But you should consider talking to an adoption lawyer.
How can an adoption lawyer help with an unplanned pregnancy?
If you are surprised by the news that you are pregnant, you have multiple options. One of those options is adoption. When you consider adoption for your child, you are thinking about a selfless, loving decision that can give your child a great start in life and make dreams come true for someone who has been praying to be able to grow their family.
But you may not really have any idea what’s involved in adoption.Here are some of the questions we hear from women who are considering adoption for their babies:
Questions about the child’s future:
- Who will raise my child? This is often the most important question. You may be wondering whether your child will have to go into foster care, whether families are vetted before they are allowed to adopt, and what kinds of families choose to adopt. Your adoption lawyer can tell you not only the laws about these questions, but also their own experiences.
- Will my child be loved and cared for? This is a core concern. Once again, there are laws covering these questions — and an experienced adoption lawyer can tell you what he or she has seen.
- What will my child know about me? This question gets to the heart of open adoption. Your adoption attorney can explain how open adoptions work and help you make a plan.
Questions about the adoption process
- How does the adoption process work? Adoption is a legal process, and an adoption attorney is the best source of information about the process.
- Can I choose the adoptive family myself? Yes, in Arkansas, birth moms have the power to choose a family. Your attorney can give you the details about how this works.
- Can I change my mind? Again, this is a legal question. There is no need to speculate about this, because the law is clear.
- What are my legal rights as a birth mother? An Arkansas adoption lawyer can answer this question clearly and honestly.
Questions about financial and medical support
- What about medical expenses? Birth mothers often have questions about who will pay for their prenatal care, hospital stay, and delivery.
- Is there financial assistance available? She may need help with living expenses, such as rent, food, or transportation, during her pregnancy.
- What will it cost to put my baby up for adoption? There is never any cost to the mother, but that is not widely known.
Questions about Personal and Emotional Support
- What kind of counseling and support is available to me? Adoption law firms like Heimer Law can help expectant moms find resources for counseling and support.
- How do I tell my family and friends? This can be a very difficult conversation. Justin Heimer has a degree in family counseling, and can assist, as well as connecting you with other resources for support.
- What will happen to me after the baby is placed? This is not a legal question, but your adoption lawyer can help you connect with the support you need.