FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do women choose adoption?
The reasons why a woman may choose adoption for her baby varies. You may not be able to financially support your baby or you may feel that you cannot emotionally take care of a baby at this time. Some women also realize their situations are unfavorable or unsafe for a child to be raised in. Any reason you may have for considering adoption is valid. We know that this is a difficult and courageous choice and you are doing what you believe is best for you and your baby.
Can I choose a family for my baby?
Yes. You may choose the family you want to adopt your baby. The Law Offices of Ellen M. Kaplan P.A. has many profiles on hand of families from all ethnic and racial backgrounds. We also have same sex couples, and single parents who are interested in adopting. The families have all been screened and have approved home studies.
How are adoptive families screened?
The best interests of you and your child are always paramount at The Law Offices of Ellen M. Kaplan, P.A. All adoptive families must complete a home study by a licensed clinical social worker or agency. This means they must go through a thorough background check, which includes criminal and child abuse background checks as well as evaluations as to their financial, medical and emotional stability.
Will I be able to see my baby in the hospital?
Yes. We will work with you to make a well thought-out hospital plan unique to your needs and wants. You will have the opportunity to decide ahead of time about the amount of contact you would like with your baby. You get to choose who will be in the delivery room, the baby’s name on the original birth certificate, how much time you would like to spend with your baby, and how much time the adoptive parents will spend with you and/or the baby.
What happens at the hospital and at the time of consent signing?
Florida State law requires that you wait at least 48 hours after the baby is born to sign consents. Typically, consents are signed in the hospital and the baby is then released to the Adoptive Parents from the hospital. Following your execution of final consents for adoption, we will be there to help you with post placement counseling. You are in charge of your hospital plan and experience.
After I sign consents, can I change my mind?
If the child to be adopted is less than six (6) months of age, your consent is irrevocable and cannot be withdrawn unless you can prove fraud or duress.
Are there any costs to me?
There are no costs to you if you place the baby for adoption. Florida law allows for adoptive parents to pay for legal fees, medical bills not covered by insurance, consulting and counseling fees, maternity clothing, rent, utilities and any other reasonable pregnancy-related expenses allowed under Florida law. Should you change your mind during your pregnancy or before you execute a final consent for adoption, you would be responsible for paying back the adoptive parents for the funds they paid on behalf of your adoption plan.
What does open adoption mean?
An open adoption means that you get to choose the adoptive parents, and you can have some degree of contact with them. Many of our placements are open adoptions. This means that the birth parents and adoptive parents decided to exchange names, addresses, email address and phone numbers. Many adoptive parents even create their own Facebook page just to share pictures, milestones, and special occasions and events with you. This is left entirely up to you and the adoptive parents. In almost all adoption plans, the adoptive parents provide pictures and letters and exchange phone calls with birth parents more often than we ask. In adoptions that are not open adoptions, we play the role of the “middle man” to arrange the exchange of pictures and letters which you may receive at 6 weeks, 6 months, one year old and each year thereafter. The most important thing to remember is that an open adoption is based on trust and respect between what you and the adoptive parents decide together.
