As a parent, you can make the decision to release your parental rights voluntarily. There is no pressure. We will support you in whatever you decide. If you choose to place your baby for adoption, we will take care of the legal process for you.
Many birth fathers are in support of an adoption plan, and can be as much a part of the adoption as you would like him to be. If he is not an involved party, he can sign legal paperwork indicating that he is not asking for custody. We will work with you to determine his level of involvement and the best way to handle the legal situation with the birth father.
Your child will know the story of his adoption because adoptive parents understand how important it is to educate children about adoption from an early age. Many birth parents request visits with the child as they grow, so you will have the opportunity to get to know each other. If visits aren’t preferred, adoptive parents provide pictures and information to birth mothers throughout childhood. At the same time, you are able to provide information about your life to be shared with him.
Your decision for adoption is final after you voluntarily release your parental rights. This usually occurs about two weeks after your baby is born. After the legal paperwork is processed by the court, a judge will issue an Order to terminate your parental rights.
We can assist you with resources for housing if needed.
Financial assistance can be available to help you with pregnancy related expenses during your pregnancy and for up to six weeks after delivery. You can talk to a caseworker to learn more details about how this works. Caseworkers also assist birth parents with Medicaid applications and other resources to help along the way.
Families who want to adopt must go through a screening process to show that they are a stable family, in good health, people of good moral character, financially and emotionally secure and ready to be parents. Birth parents can have an open adoption which includes receiving pictures and information from the family, as well as visits if you like. This will provide reassurance that your child is in a good home and has a good future ahead.
Birth mothers choose adoption for many reasons. Sometimes they are not ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a child. Sometimes they already have children and cannot provide for an additional child. Birth parents care very much about their child and are seeking a plan in the best interest of their child.
The amount of contact that you have with the family is up to you. During your pregnancy, you will be able to talk with a caseworker about openness and select an adoptive family who meets your expectations. You can meet them and get to know them if you like. After the baby is born, you can choose an open adoption which will include personal visits with the family and child. You will also receive updates on the child regularly from the adoptive family.
Yes! Birth parents are definitely involved in selecting the prospective adoptive parents. We have many waiting families already approved for adoption. You can find profiles on our website in the Find a Family tab, or you can talk with a caseworker about available families.
No, you do not need an attorney and there are no costs to you. We will handle all of the necessary legal details on your behalf.
Many women are eligible for medical insurance or public assistance, and we can assist you in determining if you qualify. If you are not covered by Medicaid, we can help you with medical expenses.
According to Michigan law, at the time a child turns 18, unless you have filled out a form to deny information shared through the Central Registry, the child may have access to identifying information about you. If future contact is acceptable to you, all you need to do is keep your address current with the Central Registry or our agency.
We understand that sometimes it’s difficult to locate and/or name a birth father. We will ask you to provide any known information and we will try to locate him. It’s ok if you don’t know how to find him. We will do our best to help you, but we understand if you are unable to provide information on the birth father.
The birth father’s rights must also be considered when planning adoption. The birth father is able to sign a document declaring that he is the father of the child but is not interested in custody. However, if you are married or have named the birth father on the child’s birth certificate, he will be required to sign the same release of parental rights paperwork as you. We will assist you with any related issues.
Yes. After you sign a release of parental rights, the child will legally become a permanent member of the adoptive family.
You can choose to have an open adoption which will include personal visits with the family and child if you like. You will also receive pictures and updates on the child regularly from the adoptive family. It is up to you to decide the level of openness in your adoption. Adoptive Families respect and understand your need to know that your child is well cared for.
Adoptive families approved by Adoption Associates, Inc. must meet the standards of being a stable family, having excellent personal references, employment verification, health and medical forms, and approved clearances by the State Police and Michigan Protective Services. Open adoption allows for ongoing contact with the family and child, which will provide extra assurance that your baby is well cared for.
An agency will assist you with your needs during pregnancy. We will provide support and resources, assist you in choosing a family for your baby, take care of all of the legal work, and assist with medical expenses if needed. In addition, we will be available to you any time you need us after the adoption. We will always be here for you.