How Long can the Adoption Process Take, on Average?
Are you considering adopting a child but not sure how long the process would take? Don’t fret. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about adopting a child.
There are nearly 120, 000 children that have no home in the United States. Some live-in foster homes: others live in the streets, and they should be going to school, but they don’t. Some of them have been abused in one way or another.
They were neglected, hurt, and denied the blessing of having a place they could call home. They need someone who cares, a parent who can help them make their dream a reality. You can adopt through foster care or privately. Internationally or domestic.
What you should expect when adopting a child
As a prospective adoptive parent, there are certain hurdles you need to be prepared to jump through, even thong they make the process of adopting arduous.
All adoptive parents will attest to this: adopting a child is one of the most emotionally draining experiences they’ve ever had while simultaneously being one of the most beautiful. Hence, you need someone by your side who has a deeper understanding of both the foster care and private regulations. There are law firms such as OKC Adoption Attorney, Lisa R. Howard, P.L.L.C. that can assist you.
Why adoption can take so long
What frustrates most prospective adoptive parents is the waiting period for adopting a child. The average wait for adopting could be anything from six months to over the years, depending on whether you will be adopting domestically or internationally. What makes the adoption take so long is that there are stringent requirements that all adoptive parents should meet.
Typically, adopting a child has two stages: pre-placement and post-placement. Pre-placement is a waiting period that applies in all adoptions. The time you should expect to wait for pre-placement would vary from one adoption case to another. If the adoption will be domestic, the waiting period may be shorter. Whereas if you adopt internationally, expect the waiting to be a tad longer.
Example: Ursula and Dave have been married for five years. Throughout their marriage, they have been trying to conceive without any success. The couple decided to try the adoption route. They want to adopt a child from Africa and raise the child in the US. So they decide to hire Lisa R Howard PLLC an adoption attorney to help them.
While waiting for a child may feel like forever, remember that waiting is to ensure that the child gets the love and care. Use the waiting period as an opportunity to prepare for the child’s arrival. Make sure that you and your family are ready to accommodate a new member of the family, financially and mentally.
Keep in mind, the fees are associated with adopting a child can vary. Expect to pay more for adopting internationally. As a prospective adoptive parent, you are also expected to cover additional costs once the child arrives in the United States. If you aim to give a child a permanent loving home, you won’t see any challenge in paying for the arrival of a child. After all, it’s all in the best interest of a child.
How an attorney can help to adopt a child
In Oklahoma City adoption, an Oklahoma adoption attorney like Lisa R. Howard, P,L,L,C, can assist you in finalizing the adoption. She can help parents, such as Ursula and Dave, with birth parents surrendering their parental rights and draft all the legal documents. There is always an Oklahoma City Adoption Attorney ready to help you.