Frequently Asked

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Probably the most common question, with the answer that is the most unknown.  While this answer is not one that you would like to hear, in truth it depends on many circumstances.  Medical expenses, living expenses, court filing fees, home studies, etc...  The total can range $15,000 -  $40,000.

While there is a possibility for the first few days after birth, the biological parents do sign a waiver of parental rights.  So long as you do your due diligence and are a fit parent, then there is very little recourse that can be done to take a child from you after placement.  In Oklahoma, it is essentially relinquishment of rights are irrevocable, so long as an adoption petition is filed in a timely manner, no other relinquishment had been filed for the same child, and there was not fraudulent action by the adoptive parents.

The total length of adoption has many variables.  The length can vary from just a few months to over a year.  Things that can potential affect the time are:

1. Home-studies and if there are any things that need to be corrected, including getting your criminal background check processed.
2. The stage of pregnancy that the birth mother is in.  Therefore, as a result if the birth mother is in her first trimester then the wait would be in excess of 6 months just for the birth process, whereas if she is in her last trimester it would be less than 3 months for the birth process.  As you can see this can have a direct effect on the time it takes to complete the adoption.
3. After birth, the birth parents will have to relinquish their rights, typically within 72 hrs.  This relinquishment is typically irrevocable (see above), therefore as such the birth parents will be provided legal counsel from the court if needed.
4. The baby is usually discharged from the hospital into the adoptive family's care.  However, this is not the end of the process.  After six (6) months from the date of the interlocutory decree unless the court waived all or part of the waiting period, the petitioners may apply to the court for a final decree of adoption. The court shall thereupon set a time and place for final hearing.  In a nut shell, approximately 6 months after placement is when the adoption will then be finalized. -- However, remember during this 6 month period the child is in the adoptive parents care and custody.

A home study is where a social worker comes to your home and interviews you to make sure that everything is in place so that the adopted child will have the greatest chance of success in life.  They will evaluate many things including safety, finances, criminal background check, etc...

According to state law the home study must at least include:

1. An appropriate inquiry to determine whether the proposed home is a suitable one for the minor; and any other circumstances and conditions which may have a bearing on the adoption and of which the court should have knowledge; and in this entire matter of investigation, the court is specifically authorized to exercise judicial knowledge and discretion;
2. Documentation of at least one individual interview with each parent, each school-age child and any other household member, one joint interview, a home visit, and three written references;
3. Verification that the home is a healthy, safe environment in which to raise a minor, as well as verification of marital status, employment, income, access to medical care, physical health and history; and
4. A review of a criminal background check and a child abuse and neglect information system check.

The short answer is yes.  The long answer is that it depends on the other biological parent.  Generally, if the other biological parent still has parental rights then in order for your child to be adopted by your current spouse, the other parent will need to allow it. 

There are many differences, starting with the finality of the adoption.  In adoption, the parent will be granted full legal and permanent parental custody.  Whereas foster care the custody is temporary in most instances.  However, in many instances foster parents will eventually adopt the child in their care.