The
Experience
Anybody who has ever observed a lotus flower emerging from a murky pond cannot fail to see the beauty of this exquisite plant.
So too is the beautiful child whom is nourished and given life by its mother, and then so lovingly and bravely placed for adoption.
-Ellen Kaplan
The
Experience
Anybody who has ever observed a lotus flower emerging from a murky pond cannot fail to see the beauty of this exquisite plant.
So too is the beautiful child whom is nourished and given life by its mother, and then so lovingly and bravely placed for adoption.
-Ellen Kaplan
The Birth Mom Experience
We admire and respect your decision to choose a better life for your child through adoption. This is one of the most unselfish and courageous choices you can make. At The Law Office of Ellen M. Kaplan, P.A., we are here to help you to make a loving adoption plan that is perfectly and uniquely best suited for you and your baby. We create a plan with you, for you, and with your specific unique needs in mind.
We will take time to compassionately discuss any fears or concerns you may have. We are here to answer any questions you may have and to help make an adoption plan that will meet your specific needs, wishes and expectations.
We will support you from beginning to end and beyond.
This is your adoption plan so you are in control. You guide this plan. You get to choose your baby’s adoptive parents. You get to decide when and where to meet the adoptive parents. You get to decide how things will be and who will be at the hospital. You get to choose if you’d like an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption. These choices and more will help create your adoption plan. With each choice, we are happy to guide you as to how your choices can be beneficial to you and your baby now and throughout your child’s life. We will follow your lead and help you throughout the experience.
One-on-One Support
“When I am with an expecting mother, I am there for her from the moment she calls and provide her with personal guidance and emotional support. I am non-judgmental no matter what or how heavy the situation may be. I get to know her personally and always try and develop a genuine close relationship with her. I give all of my expectant/birth mothers the respect and support they deserve during what can be a difficult time in their lives. You can count on me to be there for you throughout the entire experience and beyond.”
-Maggy, Adoption Case Manager
Adoption Support Services
The Adoptive Parent Experience
We believe that adoption should be a caring experience for both adoptive parents and birth mothers. We help to simplify a complex situation; which can be one of the most important life changing experiences in which a person can ever engage.
Adoptions in Florida may be handled by either a licensed child-placing agency (agency adoption) or by a private attorney or intermediary (private placement adoption). The Law Offices of Ellen M. Kaplan, P.A. provides private placement adoption services which, upon match with an expectant mother and unlike an agency adoption, represents you, the adopting parent throughout the legal proceedings. No matter which type of adoption you are pursuing, whether through an agency or private placement adoption attorney, proper legal advice is essential.
Learn as much as you can about adoption and adoption law.
There are many good books on adoption as well as adoption related internet sites that can give you general information on the adoption process. You will also learn about adoption, Florida adoption law and our office procedures when you have your initial consultation.
Following your initial interview and consultation, your profile will go in our profile book.
We will help you prepare your profile which will contain non-identifying information such as your age, income, occupation, education, religion, length of time married, whether or not you already have children, your hobbies and interests and pictures you wish to share with expectant birth parents. It is very important that the pictures you give us reflect who you are. Include current pictures of you doing your favorite things together or pictures taken of you while on vacation. Also include a picture of your house and/or pets as well as your children, if applicable. Make your pictures speak about who you are and the things that are important in your life.
Have a favorable home study completed by a licensed home study provider in the state where you reside.
Prior to the baby being placed in your home, you must have a favorable home study completed by a licensed home study provider in the state where you reside. If the home study is not favorable, The Law Offices of Ellen M. Kaplan, P.A. will not be able to proceed with placing a child in your home for the purpose of adoption. Should you need a home study, we would be more than happy to give you a recommendation for a licensed home study provider in your area.
After birth, the baby will be placed in your home following execution of final consents for adoption and discharge from the hospital.
If you reside outside the State of Florida, you must remain in Florida with the child until Interstate Compact in both Florida and your home state approve the placement (approximately 10-14 days). Following placement of the baby with you, we will begin proceedings to terminate the parental rights of the birth parent(s). During this time, your home study provider will provide the required post-placement supervision for a period of 90 days. After 90 days, if the court has terminated the parental rights of the birth parent(s) and your home study provider has issued a favorable recommendation, we can proceed with finalizing your adoption. Final hearing on your adoption takes about 10 minutes and you and the baby will be required to attend the hearing. (If you reside outside the State of Florida we will ask the court’s permission for you to attend the hearing telephonically so as to avoid you having to travel back to Florida for the proceeding.) Once the adoption is finalized, the baby’s original birth record will be sealed and an amended birth certificate will be issued reflecting you as the parents of the child.
Prospective birth mothers who contact our office through various sources are shown profiles of Hopeful Adoptive Parents and get the opportunity to select the prospective adoptive parent or parents they feel is the best match for them and their child. Since the expectant birth mother or birth parents select the family that they feel would be the best match for their child, we cannot guarantee that you will be selected or matched with a birth mother or birth parents, nor can we give you an estimate of how long it will take to be selected. Some families may be profiled for a month or two, while some may be profiled for a year or more.
Adoptions vary in cost due to the legal services needed to complete the adoption as well as the medical and living necessities of the birth mother. Most of our cases range from $18,000.00 to approximately $42,000.00. Birth parents who contact our office are often times in a crisis situation and need immediate help (they are being evicted from their apartment, they have no food, their electric is being turned off, they are about to have their car repossessed, etc.). If we are unable to provide assistance within a day or two, the birth parents will most likely go to another source for help. It is important that when we call you about a prospective match that you are able to make a decision quickly and have the funds available to assist the birth parents with their immediate needs in order to stabilize them. Under Florida law, the prospective adoptive parents may assist the birth mother with reasonable living and medical expenses incurred during the pregnancy and for up to six weeks following delivery. Reasonable living expenses are considered rent, food, utilities, transportation and clothing. Most birth mothers need some type of financial assistance. In addition, most birth mothers do not have private medical insurance. If the birth mother does not qualify for Medicaid, you may be responsible for her prenatal care and delivery.
One-on-One Support
“Being matched with an expectant birth mom is an exciting event however, there is always some uncertainty in the process. I work directly with you and your expectant birth mother to help you make a connection with her and answer all your questions and concerns as you move forward throughout the pregnancy. My experience and knowledge provide you and the expectant birth mother with the personal support you both need and can count on throughout your entire experience.”
-Maggy, Adoption Case Manager
Adoption Support Services
There are some risks in adoption that we will discuss with you, in depth, at the time of your initial consultation. We are here for you!
“…these ladies make the experience much easier.”