Should you choose agency adoption or private attorney adoption?
If you’re thinking about placing your baby for adoption, it can be hard to know where to start. Step one is finding someone you can trust to help you understand all of your options. Understanding the differences between agency adoption and private attorney adoption can help you get the support you need as you move through the Texas adoption process. We can help.
Adoption is a complex process, and as the baby’s mother, there will be many decisions ahead of you. You should never feel pressured by anyone to choose one option over another, and you should always use only a licensed adoption professional in Texas who can provide you with the support and resources you may need during what is often a challenging time.
What is private attorney adoption?
In a private attorney adoption, the pregnant mother finds an adoptive couple as well as an adoption attorney to handle the legal aspects of the Texas adoption process. No agency will be involved to provide resources or support, so this type of adoption typically requires a great deal of research on the mother’s part.
There are a few important considerations in choosing this option.
- You may wish to find an experienced counselor or advisor who can help you through the process, as there will be no agency counselors to guide you.
- You are responsible for finding an adoptive family for your baby and ensuring that they are fully prepared to take on responsibility for your child.
- The adoptive family will hire an attorney to work on their behalf, often leaving you without legal representation.
- In private adoption without agency involvement, the adoptive parents will not be allowed to pay any of your pregnancy-related expenses.
What is agency adoption?
A licensed agency can educate you about the Texas adoption process, and coordinates the social and legal services between you and the family you choose for your child. Our Texas adoption agency carefully prescreens all of our adoptive couples, including written applications, interviews, home studies and background checks, giving mothers confidence that their child will go to a loving and stable home.
There are other benefits to choosing agency adoption, as well.
- All services are provided by the agency, at no cost to you – including legal services.
- An experienced counselor will guide you through the process, providing emotional support, practical information and guidance, as well as other resources that you may need along the way.
- A licensed adoption agency can provide additional financial help to mothers with documented needs, including secure housing, medical care, groceries and maternity clothing.
- With modern adoption, mothers are empowered to choose what they want their future relationship with their child to look like, from exchanging photos and letters to talking on the phone or visiting in person.
- And maybe most importantly, an agency adoption allows the agency to assist and coordinate all ongoing contact and communication.
Other important considerations
With agency adoption, parental rights over the baby go to the agency, rather than directly to the adoptive couple, as in private attorney adoption. The agency gives the adoptive parents consent to carry out the duties of parents until the adoption is finalized. During that time, the agency supervises the adoptive parents and acts as an intermediary between you and the parents you have chosen for your child.
On the other hand, if legal rights go directly to the adoptive couple, they are named managing conservators and are the only ones who have a legal connection with the child.
At Legacy Adoptions, we have a wonderful team of experienced and caring professionals who can assist both mothers and adoptive parents with all aspects of the adoption process. If you are considering adoption or would like more information about it, please do not hesitate to call us at (817) 704-0239. We would be happy to assist you and answer any additional questions you may have about both private attorney adoption and agency adoption.
