Understanding the Different Types of Adoption

If you are considering adoption to grow your family, you know it is not a decision to be made lightly. Perhaps you have known for years that you hoped to adopt someday. Maybe you came to the decision to adopt more recently, after other avenues of building your family were closed off. Whatever has led to your interest in adoption, it is important to understand the types of adoption and what is involved.

To learn more about the different types of adoption and other paths to parenthood, contact Brinkley Law Firm LLC to schedule a consultation.

Different Types of Adoption Options in South Carolina

Many people looking to build a family through adoption are not seeking to adopt a specific child who is known to them; they just know that they want to love and care for a child who needs a parent. In this situation, there are different types of adoption to consider:

Domestic Private Adoption

Domestic private adoption may be a good option for parents who are looking to adopt an infant. This is what many people think of when they think of adoption: birth parents plan to voluntarily surrender the child for adoption at birth, and the child is matched with adoptive parents who can take him or her home soon after. A home study is required to ensure that the parents will be bringing the child home to a safe, healthy environment.

A domestic private adoption takes place through a private adoption agency and may be open, semi-open, or closed. In closed adoptions, the adoptive family and birth parents have no contact and typically do not even know each other’s identity. These adoptions were once the norm in the United States, but are becoming more rare; open and semi-open adoptions offer more transparency and an opportunity for the adoptee to have at least some knowledge of, or even contact with, the birth family.

The costs for private agency adoption vary, but often run between $20,000 and $50,000. Depending on the circumstances and the adoptive parents’ preferences, the process may take as little as several months, or as long as a few years.

Foster Care Adoption

As the name suggests, foster care adoption involves adopting a child who is in the foster care system. Rather than going through a private agency, prospective parents work with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS). As with private adoption, a home study is required.

While in some cases, infants are available for adoption, more often, children available for adoption from foster care are older; some may have special needs, and many have experienced trauma. Parents who adopt from foster care are fulfilling a critical need, providing a loving, stable home for a child who needs one. In some cases, foster care adoption can mean “instant family” if parents adopt a sibling group, helping to keep together children who might otherwise be separated. Adoption from foster care is typically much less expensive than private agency adoption and wait times are usually shorter, but parents need to be prepared to provide the necessary support for any emotional, physical, or mental health struggles their child is facing.

International Adoption

International adoption involves adopting a child from a country other than the adoptive parents’ home country. Children available for international adoption may be infants or older children. Prospective parents must meet the adoption requirements of not only their home country and state, but the country from which the child is being adopted.

Hopeful parents trying to adopt from another country may encounter cultural barriers; for example, some countries may not allow adoption by a single parent or a same-sex couple. Navigating bureaucracy and travel requirements may also make international adoption even more expensive than domestic private adoption.

Parents considering international adoption should be prepared to deal with the possibility that their child may have experienced trauma or neglect which can affect their physical and emotional development and well-being, including their ability to form secure attachments. In addition, parents who adopt internationally will need to be prepared to help their child navigate identity or cultural issues, especially when the child does not resemble the parents; this is also a concern in transracial adoption.

Getting Ready to Adopt

The road to parenthood through adoption is not an easy one, no matter which path you choose. But as with many difficult endeavors (including parenthood itself), it is almost always more than worth it. Any form of adoption has its stresses and challenges. Those will be easier to navigate if you are prepared, and if you have the right motivations. Many hopeful parents find it helpful to go through counseling before proceeding with the adoption process.

Working with an experienced adoption attorney can also help parents anticipate what to expect from a legal standpoint, and to feel more confident as they make their way through the adoption process. At Brinkley Law Firm, we help clients understand the different types of adoptions and explore the options available to them. When they embark on their journey to parenthood, we advise them, advocate for them, and support them every step of the way.

To learn more about the different types of adoption and other paths to parenthood, contact Brinkley Law Firm LLC to schedule a consultation.