Learn about the different types of adoption
When you’re pregnant and not sure if you’re ready or able to parent your baby, it’s natural to yearn to create the best life possible for them. Adoption is a beautiful option that gives pregnant mothers the ability to gift their child the abundant future that they want for them. For pregnant women considering making an adoption plan, a few different types of adoption may be on the table.
- Domestic infant adoption, which includes either private agency adoption or a direct private adoption through a state-licensed adoption attorney. For many mothers choosing adoption during pregnancy, domestic infant adoption feels like an empowering choice, as it allows them to choose their baby’s parents and maintain contact with the child going forward, if they wish to.
- Kinship adoption of a child by a family member, either through an adoption agency or a family law attorney.
- Adoption of a child after placement into the state foster care system by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Mothers who are facing the involuntary surrender of their babies into the foster care system often choose private agency adoption, as the process can be completed with more control and gives them a chance to continue to play a role in their child’s life.
With all of these types of adoption, the baby’s parents surrender their parental rights after the child is born, and the adoptive parents then become the baby’s legal parents.
What are the options for private agency adoption?
Private agency adoption allows a state-licensed child-placing agency, like Legacy Adoption Services, to arrange and manage the placement of a child with adoptive parents. This type of adoption gives parents a way to lovingly place their child into a family of their choice, and to choose what type of adoption arrangements they want to have going forward.
- Open adoption: The baby’s parents and adoptive family share more information and maintain some level of ongoing contact and there are usually in-person visits.
- Semi-open adoption: The adoption agency serves as a mediator between the parents, who do not wish to contact each other directly. This arrangement usually involves sharing pictures and letters periodically.
- Closed adoption: The parents and adoptive family remain anonymous to each other and no information is shared.
Adoption agencies in Florida must be licensed by the state and follow all legal and ethical requirements, which are designed to protect you, the baby’s mother.
Mothers who choose private agency adoption are never charged any fees for the agency’s services, which include counseling, matching with adoptive parents, and coordinating all the legal details of the adoption process in accordance with state laws. If you make an adoption plan during pregnancy, medical bills for your prenatal care, labor and delivery, and post-birth recovery are taken care of by the agency and the adoptive parents, as well.
Contact us to learn more about the types of adoption
If you are pregnant and exploring adoption agencies in Florida, we are happy to speak with you to answer all of your questions about the types of adoption, including private agency adoption.
We will never pressure you to choose adoption, but instead, will provide the facts and information that you need so that you can come to a place of peace with whatever decisions you choose to make for yourself and your child. Contact us or call us any time at (239) 703-8600 to speak with a caring Legacy Adoption Services options counselor.