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Florida Adoption Entity, Amy U. Hickman, Esq. works hand-in-hand with Adoptions With Love and compassionate Florida counselors to help expectant/birth mothers make an adoption placement. Amy U. Hickman (Fla. Bar No.: 0832340) is recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in Florida adoption law. In Florida, only a Florida adoption entity is authorized to work with a birth mother to place her child for adoption. As a Florida Adoption Entity, Amy Hickman works with Adoptions With Love to provide Florida birth mothers an opportunity to work directly with a Florida attorney and experienced adoption agency professionals.
Are you living in Florida and considering adoption for your baby? Whether you just found out you are pregnant, are in your third trimester, or have recently given birth, adoption is still an option for you. It is also a very positive choice. If you are thinking about giving your baby up for adoption in Florida, the first thing to know is that you are not giving up.
While many people say, “give up for adoption” and “put up for adoption,” these phrases are outdated and wrong. The truth is, adoption is a brave, selfless, and loving act. It is one of the most caring and courageous choices a mother can make for her baby when she is not ready to parent. Those who choose adoption do so knowing that it will be difficult and emotional but will also bring a lifetime of love and opportunity to their baby over the years. Today, those in the adoption community would say that you are placing your baby for adoption in Florida or making an adoption plan.
You may not have chosen this situation, but you can make a positive plan for yourself and your child. In this guide, we will outline how to start the adoption process in Florida, including Florida adoption laws and rights to know as an expectant/birth mother.
Understanding Adoption in Florida
Adoption can feel like an overwhelming process. With an adoption agency, you can move through the adoption process with ease and support. Making the right decision starts with being informed. It is important to find experienced adoption professionals with a network of knowledgeable attorneys in Florida. This will ensure you have a full understanding of the adoption laws, and how the process works in Florida. For example, the earliest a birth mother can consent to adoption is 48 hours after the birth of the baby (or following discharge from the hospital, whichever comes first). This gives the birth mother time to think about her decision and ensure adoption is right. Once the adoption papers are signed, a birth mother cannot change her mind. For this reason, it is important to take advantage of the time provided and make sure you are confident, comfortable, and at peace with the decision to make an adoption plan.
Is Adoption Right for You?
Before making any decision related to your baby’s adoption, you must first decide whether adoption is the right path for you. This is a highly personal decision. Only you can decide what is best for you and your baby. While you can speak with a counselor, trusted family member(s) and close friends, and others who have placed their children for adoption, only you can make this decision. You should take all the time you need before making it final with the consent signing. This is why it is important to remember: It is never too late to place your baby for adoption.
Adoption is Always Free for Birthparents
There is never a financial cost to placing a baby for adoption. In fact, Florida adoption laws maintain regulations on allowable expenses that are reimbursed to the expectant/birth parents choosing adoption. These include:
- Living costs (rent, utility bills, etc.) during pregnancy through 6 weeks postpartum
- Legal fees related to the adoption
- Professional adoption services
Do You Have Questions About Adoption?
7 Steps to Giving a Baby up for Adoption in Florida
1. Contact a Licensed Adoption Agency
When choosing an adoption agency licensed in Florida, it is critical to choose an organization that will support your needs. Look for a fully licensed, private, domestic adoption agency that has been working with expectant/birth mothers in Florida for many years. Look for an agency that has a positive reputation and is known for offering direct, compassionate care to expectant/birth parents and adoptive families. Reach out for commitment-free information to learn more about the organization and how they can support you and your baby.
2. Find a Reputable Adoption Professional in Florida
If you are thinking about giving your baby up for adoption in Florida, you should contact an adoption professional that is reputable in the state. The best adoption professionals in Florida will meet you with compassion, understanding, and the respect you deserve.
Adoptions With Love, an experienced Florida adoption agency, helps you get answers to your questions without pressure or judgment. Our compassionate staff is available 24/7 to help you understand your options and how the adoption process works. All the services available to expectant/birth mothers are always free, so there is never any risk in reaching out for help. In fact, Adoptions With Love offers financial support to expectant/birth mothers in Florida:
- Financial assistance with utilities, phone, maternity clothing, and other necessities, as needed.
- Designing your adoption plan. Each person has different needs. You have the opportunity to choose and meet the family that will adopt your baby.
- Housing assistance. Get help paying a deposit and several months of rent.
- Complete counseling services by compassionate and experienced professionals to assist you in planning for your future and that of your baby.
- Medical care. Medical care is a top priority. If you do not already have a doctor, we can help find a doctor who understands your emotional and physical needs.
- Legal assistance provided by experienced lawyers who specialize in adoption. Making sure that the rights of all those involved in the adoption process are respected and upheld is our utmost priority.
- Ongoing contact throughout the years.
Adoptions With Love can meet you wherever you are to go over your rights and guide you through the adoption process. Whether you are living in Tampa, Naples, Orlando, Delray Beach, Pensacola, Palm Bay, or anywhere in between, we can meet you at a time and place that is convenient for you.
3. Create an Adoption Plan
As an expectant/birth mother considering adoption in Florida, you can customize an adoption plan. Your adoption professional can help you design a plan with which you are most comfortable.
There are three basic types of adoptions you can choose in Florida:
Open adoption offers many benefits for birth mothers, and it is a popular choice for adoptions today. However, you are the one in charge. You can decide which plan makes the most sense for you, and your adoption counselor can help you create a plan that makes you feel comfortable and confident in your decision. If you would like regular emails or text messages from the adoptive parents, that can be arranged. If you would rather keep the adoption closed, or only get updates from the adoption agency, that is okay, too. There is no right or wrong way to make an adoption plan, if it is what makes you and your child happy.
4. Choose an Adoptive Family
One of the most important steps in the adoption process is finding the right family for your baby. Many birth mothers report that choosing the adoptive family gave them comfort and peace of mind, knowing that they were able to select a safe, loving, and supportive family to raise their baby.
At Adoptions With Love, we screen all adoptive parents through a comprehensive Home Study, which involves home visits, interviews, background checks, and a thorough exam of medical, financial, and personal documents.
If you would like to take this next step, you can browse profiles of adoptive families who have been approved to adopt. You can even meet with hopeful parents – if you wish – before making your decision. With the help of your adoption professional and the Home Study process, you can rest assured that your child will be placed in a safe, stable, and loving home, no matter which family you choose.
5. Choose a Trusted Hospital in Florida and Create a Hospital Plan
The next step is to find a hospital or birthing center in Florida in which to trust. Your options for labor and delivery may be dependent upon your insurance plan and healthcare provider. If you are receiving medical care assistance from your adoption agency, you can ask them about your options.
You can design a hospital plan next that will make you feel comfortable. This will address your wishes and needs at the time of birth. To create this plan, ask yourself the following questions:
- Who do I want in the delivery room with me?
- Do I want to be the first one to hold the baby, or should it be the adoptive parents?
- Will I want my own recovery room, away from the adoptive family, for privacy?
- Should I have special, one-on-one time with the baby right after birth?
These can help you envision the type of birth experience you wish to have and make it clear to the adoptive parent(s) how you would like it to be when the time comes.
This plan can be modified later, even if you change your mind on the plan while at the hospital. If you change your mind on anything regarding your birth plan during your hospital stay, you can let your adoption specialist know, and they will handle the changes.
6. Finalize the Legal Process
Once the adoption consent forms have been signed, your adoption agency can work to finalize the adoption process. This is why it is valuable to have an adoption attorney working to support your baby’s adoption. This legal professional will handle the details and ensure that everything is handled smoothly, safely, and legally.
7. Find Post-Placement Support
The final step of the adoption process is to consider life after adoption. The key to success in this step is to pursue the support you deserve. With an adoption agency’s support, you can receive one-on-one counseling with licensed professionals. The right adoption professional will offer free counseling services for several months following your birth. You will also be encouraged to participate in support groups or speak with other birth mothers (including local women in Florida) who have also made an adoption plan.
Adoption is a lifelong journey. It does not end after the adoption papers are signed. Your adoption agency can offer you the ongoing support you need and deserve. It is also important to remember that placing your baby for adoption is not saying “goodbye forever”. It is, in fact, the beginning of a new chapter ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Adoption
How do I know if adoption is right for me?
Adoption is a brave, loving, and selfless decision, but it is not right for everyone. Consider your options and discuss your concerns or desires with an adoption agency you can trust. They will offer you unbiased advice and information about your options.
Can I choose an open adoption in Florida?
Yes, open adoption is a popular choice for birth mothers who decide to place their baby for adoption in Florida. It is also one that offers many benefits to both the birth mother and the child. Learn about the benefits of open adoption here.
What are my rights as a birth mother in Florida?
It is important to know your rights as an expectant/birth parent. In Florida, no parent can sign legal documents consenting to adoption until 48 hours (about two days) after the baby’s birth – or at the time of discharge from the hospital. The birth mother can provide consent to the adoption. Legally, the biological father should be involved in the decision if he or a court has declared paternity, or if you are married to one another.
Can you place a baby for adoption after birth in Florida?
Yes. You can design an adoption plan any time you wish – before or after giving birth – in the State of Florida. The earliest you can consent to the adoption is 48 hours after giving birth. This gives you time to rest a bit, meet your baby, and consider your decision again. You can contact an adoption agency from the hospital or birthing center, or even after you have brought your baby home. It is never too late to make an adoption plan in Florida.
Why choose adoption in Florida?
Adoption is a personal decision that only you can make for yourself. There are many benefits that come with adoption, including the choice to pursue your own personal and professional goals while knowing your child is safe and well-loved. Open adoption allows birth mothers to see their child grow, build meaningful relationships with both child and adoptive parent(s). There is peace of mind in knowing that your child is growing up in a safe, stable, and loving environment full of opportunities – even if you cannot be the one to provide that type of life for them right now.
Can I change my mind after signing adoption consent forms in Florida?
No. There is no revocation period in Florida after consent forms have been signed. This is why it is crucial to take all the time you need before consenting to adoption.
Does the birth father have rights in Florida adoptions?
Birth father’s rights are complex and depend on the relationship with the birth mother. A birth father may have parental rights if married to the birth mother, is listed on the birth certificate, or has established paternity. Unwed birth fathers may file with the Putative Father Registry to protect their parental rights. It is best to consult your adoption agency regarding your circumstances and whether your baby’s birth father has parental rights regarding the adoption.
Find Support for Florida Birth Parents
Adoption is a positive, loving decision. With the right adoption agency in your corner, you can “give baby up for adoption in Florida” (remember: It is NOT giving up!) with the support you need and deserve.
If you would like to learn even more about giving your baby up for adoption in Florida, and making a safe and loving plan for your baby, contact Adoptions With Love today. Call us any time of day, any day of the week at 617-964-4357, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.