3 Errors That Could Delay An Adoption
The adoption process can sometimes be overwhelming. Between the paperwork and waiting, your family can experience some frustration. The frustration is sometimes caused by delays in adopting due to avoidable mistakes that are made. If you want to avoid those mistakes and delays, here are some of the mistakes some families have made and how yours can avoid them:
Being Too Specific
There are many children looking for adoptive families, but they are sometimes overlooked because they do not fit the specific requirements that some families have. For instance, some families might be adamant about adopting a child of a certain age or gender. It is your family's right to look for a child to adopt that fits certain requirements, but it could lead to a delay.
By being open to adopting any child, you could potentially expand your family in a shorter period of time. You also have the added bonus of providing a loving home to a child who might have otherwise been overlooked by other families. Talk to the adoption agency you are using to learn which children are in most need of a family.
Trying to Sound Perfect
Your adoption agency will likely require you to create a profile and write a letter to birth parents to introduce yourself and your family. It might be tempting to present your family as perfect, but doing so could potentially work against you.
Birth parents are not perfect beings and they likely are not expecting you to be so either. When you present your family as perfect, the birth parents could believe that you are not telling the whole story about your family or that their child will have trouble fitting in with your family if they are not perfect, too. To avoid this, be honest. It is possible to present a positive image of your family without going over the top.
Adopting Without Professional Help
Due to the complexities of adoption and the laws governing it, it is important that you work with a professional, like Reagan, Melton, & Delaney LLP. By working with professionals, you can avoid some of the heartaches that can come with the process.
For instance, a family law attorney can help with drafting documents to ensure a child is legally yours. This can help avoid a lengthy court battle for custody later. An adoption agency can be instrumental in helping to find a child, counseling the birth parents, and arranging for the adoption to occur.