infant adoptions

What Is Infant Adoption? Infant adoption is when a baby is placed with adoptive parents right after birth (or sometimes within the first few months of life). The birth mom (and sometimes the dad) choose to make an adoption plan so the baby can grow up in a safe and loving home. When the adoption is final, the adoptive parents become the baby’s legal parents forever. The baby will get a new birth certificate with their names on it, and they will have all the same rights as if the child had been born to them. Why Do Families Choose Infant Adoption? Every story is different, but common reasons include: A birth mom decides she can’t raise the baby and wants to choose a family who can. Couples or single adults who can’t have children want to grow their family through adoption. Families who want to give a baby a secure, stable home. At the heart of it all: adoption is about love and providing the best life possible for the child. How Does the Process Work? Here’s the big picture: Birth parent chooses adoption. Sometimes with the help of an agency or attorney. Adoptive family is approved. This means background checks, a home study, and court approval. If you are thinking about adopting any child and you are not closely related to them already, you will need to have a home study. These usually take a couple of months to complete and are usually good for one year. Baby is placed. Once the baby is born, they go home with the adoptive family (usually right from the hospital).

If the baby is born in Arkansas, and the adoptive parents are Arkansas residents, you don't have to worry about the Interstate Compact for the Protection of Children (ICPC). If the parents live out of state but stay in Arkansas until the adoption is finalized (usually within a week or so after the baby is born), ICPC also doesn't apply. BUT - if the adoptive parents live out of state, they cannot take the baby across state lines before the final hearing. To do that, the ICPC offices in their home state AND Arkansas would have to approve the adoption first. Legal steps are finished. Papers are signed, parental rights are handled, and the judge makes the adoption final. Open vs. Closed Adoption Some birth moms want to stay in touch with the adoptive family through letters, pictures, or visits (that’s called open adoption). Others prefer no contact (closed adoption). In Arkansas, most adoptions today are open in some way, but it depends on what everyone agrees to. Things to Keep in Mind Adoption takes paperwork and court approval, but it’s worth it for the child’s future. As a general rule, birth parents can only sign a consent after the baby is born. Once it is signed, they have 10 days (can be reduced to 5 days if stated in their consent) to withdraw their consent. Once final, adoption is forever—iadoptions are rarely undone. It’s emotional for everyone involved. I walk both adoptive parents and birth parents through the process step by step. Why Work With Me? I’ve helped families all across Arkansas with infant adoptions. Whether you’re a birth mom looking for answers or a hopeful parent wanting to adopt, I can guide you through the process in plain English, without the legal jargon. My job is to make things clear, handle the hard parts, and help you feel supported every step of the way.