There is no cost to the birth parents
If a woman or couple is facing an unplanned pregnancy and parenting isn’t an option, they can make an adoption plan for their child at no cost to them. In some states, a woman making an adoption plan can receive financial support during the pregnancy (and for some period after birth) for pregnancy related expenses (ie, food, rent, transportation, maternity clothing, etc). The laws governing what support is permitted varies from state to state. Support related questions should be directed to a qualified adoption attorney.
There are costs with adoption. Adoption costs are covered by the adoptive family.
Birth mothers and birth fathers have complete control over what happens to their unborn child
Disclaimer: All legal questions regarding an adoption should be directed to a qualified adoption attorney. This information is provided based on our personal experience.
Birth mothers cannot do anything legally binding regarding the adoption until after the baby is born and some period of time passes. For example, in Texas, a birth mother can sign the paperwork to give her consent to the adoption 2 days after the baby is born. Once the paperwork is signed, it becomes irrevocable the same day.
In any state, the birth mother has the right to change her mind any time before the adoption consent paperwork is signed. She can change her mind with no consequences whatsoever. After the signed consent paperwork becomes irrevocable, she can no longer change her mind.
Birth father’s parental rights must be terminated too. If a birth father is not identified or cannot be located, his rights are terminated through a court process.
Birth mothers (and birth fathers, if involved) can choose the family that will raise their child
Adoptive families make a profile, a compilation of pictures and letters that tell a birth mother all about the adoptive family, their lives, their home, why they want to bring a child into their home, etc. A birth mother can look at as many profiles as she likes until she connects with a family. When she connects with a family, she informs her adoption professionals. This is how many birth parents and adoptive parents meet.
Together, birth mothers (and birth fathers, if involved) and adoptive parents decide how much contact they will have with each other after the baby is born
There are three types of contact with adoption: open, semi-open and closed. [90% of infant adoptions are open or semi-open. Contact agreements are not legally binding]
- Open adoption: When identifying information is exchanged between the birth family and the adoptive family (ie, last names, addresses, phone numbers, etc). With open adoption, the birth family and the adoptive family contact each other directly. Together, the birth family and the adoptive family decide how much contact they will have with each other after the baby is born (ie. getting pictures, meeting the family, getting updates, seeing the child and their family on some ongoing basis)
- Semi-open adoption: When no identifying information is exchanged between the birth family and the adoptive family and there is no direct contact. With semi-open adoption, the birth family can still receive pictures and updates on their child. This communication would happen through a designated adoption professional (ie, adoption agency, adoption attorney, etc)
- Closed adoption: When there is no contact between the birth family and the adoptive family. With closed adoption, the birth family will not receive any pictures or updates on their child.