An Easy-to-Understand Adoption Definition

Deciding to adopt a child is one of the most important decisions you will make. Not surprisingly, it can be a very difficult decision to make. In considering adoption, you need to address a number of physical, emotional and legal issues.

The adoption process can be so complex, that some people are turned off the idea. But, with the right information, the adoption process doesn’t have to seem insurmountable. One part of the right information, is understanding adoption, and the adoption process.

Adoption, broadly defined, is a legal process that creates a permanent legal relationship between a couple or single adult, and a child. In many, but not all, cases, childless couples are matched with orphans, children without parents. A large part of adoption is this matching process.

Adoption is a legal process. Because of this, there is more to it than simply matching suitable adoptors and adoptees. Adoptive parents are given parental rights and responibilities for the adopted child, and the child receives the legal, emotional and socials rights of a natural family member.

Once the adoption process is complete, the adoptive child is legal offspring, and has the same rights as any biological child, including the rights of inheritance.

To finalize an adoption, court proceedings are required. As part of these court hearings, the court must identify the biological parents of the potential adoptee. This is done, in part, to assure that the adoption is fair and lawful, and capable of withstanding any external conflicts.

The identification of the biological parents can be difficult, depending in part on the state laws in effect, and the circumstances of the adoption. A typical scenario involves a ward of the court–a child that is orphaned due to the court’s termination of the parental rights of the biological parents.

Another scenario includes the adoption of an infant born to a teenage single mother, and the termination of the rights of the biological parents is done within the same court proceedings to finalize the adoption.

In the process of adoption finalization, the family court judge reviews all the gathered information about the child, their biological parents, and the adoptive parents. This information can include:

* the home study results

* and evaluation and assessment of the adoptive parents, identifying their ability to take custody of the child

* if available, reports from pre-adoption counseling

* the adoption caseworkers notes and recommendations

as well as any additional information desired by the judge.

The following people are expected to be present at the adoption proceedings:

* the adoptive parent(s) and their adoption attorney

* the biological parents with their adoption attorney

* the child or children being adopted

* the legal advocate for the child

* the adoption caseworker

* the adoptive parents’ and the biological parents’ caseworker(s).

After reviewing all of the provided information, a decision on the adoption petition is rendered by the judge. If the judge approves, the adoption is finalized, and a legal Adoption Decree is issued by the courts.