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An Easy-To-Understand Adoption Definition
Making the decision to adopt a child is one of the most important parenting decisions you'll make. And it may also be one of the most difficult. When considering adoption, you need to consider several emotional, physical and legal issues.
The adoption process can be so complex, that some people are turned off the idea. But, with the right information, the adoption process doesn't have to seem insurmountable. One part of the right information, is understanding adoption, and the adoption process.
Adoption, broadly defined, is a legal process that creates a permanent legal relationship between a couple or single adult, and a child. In many, but not all, cases, childless couples are matched with orphans, children without parents. A large part of adoption is this matching process.
Because adoption is a legal process, it goes much further than simply making suitable family matches. Parental rights and responsibilities are given to the adopting parents, and the adoptive child is granted the legal, emotional and social rights and responsibilities of a natural family member.
When the process of adoption is complete, the adopted child has the same rights as a biological child, including the legal rights of inheritance.
Since adoption involves a legal process, it also involves court proceedings. These court hearings, among other things, identify the biological parents of the potential adoptee. This ensures that the completed adoption was fair and lawful and that it will withstand external conflicts.
The difficulty of determining biological parentage varies, depending on state law, and the circumstances of the adoption. One frequent scenario consists of a child who is a ward of the court--they are orphans, or the rights of their biological parents have been terminated by the courts.
When the biological parent is a single teenage mother, often the court proceedings to terminate her parental rights occur at the same time as the adoption is being finalized.
In the process of adoption finalization, the family court judge reviews all the gathered information about the child, their biological parents, and the adoptive parents. This information can include:
* the home study results
* an adoptive parent(s) evaluation, which includes an assesment of their ability to care for and raise the child
* if available, reports from pre-adoption counseling
* notes and recommendations compiled by the caseworker
as well as other information requested by the judge.
The following groups of people generally attend the adoption proceedings:
* the adoptive parents and their attorney
* the biological parents and their attorney
* the child being adopted
* the legal advocate for the child
* the child's caseworker
* the caseworker(s) for the adoptive and biological parents.
After reviewing all of the provided information, a decision on the adoption petition is rendered by the judge. If the judge approves, the adoption is finalized, and a legal Adoption Decree is issued by the courts.
About the Author If you are considering adoption, or know someone who is, visit Adoption.2byt.com for additional articles and information about the process, the difficulties and the unending rewards of adoption.
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