Adopting a child through a New York adoption agency is a wonderful way to expand your family and to provide a loving home to a child who needs one. However, the adoption process can be intimidating for those who have never adopted before. Between background checks, paperwork, home visits and more, adopting families can benefit from preparing themselves ahead of time and by understanding more about how agency adoption works.
Agency adoption
When you decide to adopt through an agency, the first step is choosing your agency. If you have friends or family members who’ve adopted a child before, ask them for advice and recommendations. You can find information on the agencies in New York online to help you decide which agency is the right fit for your family. Many families choose to work with an adoption attorney and to have an attorney read through any contracts before signing.
Once you sign on to work with an agency, you must consent to a thorough background check. Adoption agencies want to be sure they are placing each child in a safe home, so they will check your criminal background for state or federal convictions, as well as any history with child protective services. After the background check, you will be subject to a home study. This may involve multiple visits to your home, interviews with each person in your household and training sessions to ensure that your family is prepared for adoption.
Your ability to care for a child
An adoption agency will consider many factors before approving a family to adopt. They may ask questions about your experience in caring for children and your ability to adapt and change regarding a new family dynamic. An interviewer from the agency may have questions about your finances and your ability to provide for a child’s needs. Agencies will consider your health and age as important factors to determine if adoption is a good fit for your family.
Adoption agencies are not allowed to deny an adoption based on certain factors. These include race, religion, education, or marital status. The agency cannot deny you because you prefer to adopt a certain gender. They also cannot take into consideration your fertility when deciding whether to approve your family to move further into the adoption process.
Legal advice is invaluable
Adoption can be a lengthy and complex process, especially for first-time adoptive families. When adopting from an agency in New York, it’s beneficial to seek the advice of an adoption attorney. The attorney will act as your family’s advocate in the process and help you understand the complexities associated with adoption, so your family is better prepared to welcome a child into your home.