Are you a prospective parent in North Carolina? After doing some research, you may have come to the conclusion that adoption can be a lengthy process. Having a checklist can help you streamline things and keep track of what you have already accomplished, and what still needs to be done.
FindLaw has an adoption checklist that you may find useful. They start with the basics, such as knowing what type of adoption you want to pursue and finding the child that you wish to bring into your family. There are many types of adoption, including independent adoption, adoption through an agency, and open or closed adoption.
After deciding how to go about the adoption, you will need to participate in what is known as the “home study” process. In this, you will be educated on how to successfully incorporate an adopted child into your life. It allows you to prepare the adopting family for the oncoming changes as well. Elements to this study may include interviews, home visits, training, background checks, collecting references, and collecting income, health and autobiographical statements.
After that, you must obtain the consent to adoption. This is the agreement by the birth parent to relinquish rights to the child. As soon as the birth parent’s rights are terminated, you may file an adoption petition. After obtaining court approval, the child will legally be under your care.
The steps to adopting a child can still be complex, even knowing what to expect. Because of this, you may want to have an attorney on your side who can help you navigate through the adoption process.
