An Overview of the Adoption Process in Kentucky

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy in Kentucky? If you are thinking about placing your child for adoption, the first thing to do is to learn about the adoption process in Kentucky.
Adoption can be a positive choice. If you are looking for more information regarding the adoption process in Kentucky, you should contact an adoption agency.

Adoption in Kentucky typically involves several steps and can vary depending on the type of adoption. Throughout the adoption process, it is important to work closely with an adoption professional who can guide you through the process and ensure that all legal requirements are met.

Before you start, here are the basics about how the adoption process in Kentucky works and what you need to know:

Different Types of Adoption in Kentucky

Domestic Adoption

This type of adoption is the most common type of adoption for expectant/birth parents who voluntarily choose to lovingly place their child for adoption. Domestic adoption is overseen by a private adoption agency, assisting in the adoption of children born in the U.S. to adoptive parents who also live in the country. Adoptive parents who are looking to adopt an infant often take this path. If you are an expectant/birth mother considering adoption, partnering with a private agency, such as Adoptions With Love is a great place to start.

Foster Care Adoption

Foster care is a state-run system in Kentucky for the temporary and permanent placement of children removed from their homes. Foster care can be a positive path to adoption for adoptive parents looking to adopt inexpensively. This is not the path taken by expectant/birth parents voluntarily choosing adoption.

Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent adoption happens when someone becomes a legal parent for his or her spouse’s child.

Adoption Laws and Regulations in Kentucky

Consent to Adoption

According to Kentucky adoption laws, a birth mother must wait a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) before signing consent forms for adoption. This gives you time to meet your child after birth and consider your decision one more time before making it official.

Post-Adoption Laws

Consent becomes irrevocable 72 hours (3 days) after consent is given. This is why it is important to wait until you are certain that adoption is the right path for you. At Adoptions With Love, we encourage birth mothers to take all the time they need before signing consent forms. It is never too late to make an adoption plan.

Role of Agencies in the Kentucky Adoption Process

How Agencies Facilitate the Kentucky Adoption Process

The purpose of an adoption agency is to oversee every aspect of the adoption process. The best adoption agencies in Kentucky will offer counseling services and legal support, adoption planning services, and much more. According to Kentucky adoption laws, those making an adoption plan may receive financial assistance for expenses.

At Adoptions With Love, birth/expectant mothers planning adoption can receive the following supportive services, free of cost:

• Financial assistance, as needed, to help alleviate the stress that can come with an unplanned pregnancy.
• Medical coverage. We can help you find a doctor or midwife with whom you are comfortable and cover any uninsured expenses related to pregnancy and birth.
• Adoption planning services. You can choose an adoption plan that meets your needs. You can also speak with – or meet – the adoptive parents before making your decision.
• Legal support. Our trained adoption attorney team in Kentucky will meet you at a time and place that is convenient for you.
• Compassionate counseling, with experienced professionals. This service is offered before and after adoption is complete.
• Ongoing support, with check-ins and any help facilitating post-adoption communication between adoptive and birth families, as needed.

Choosing a Suitable Adoption Agency

In addition to the supportive services mentioned above, it is important to look for a Kentucky adoption agency that will make you feel important. The best adoption agencies in Kentucky will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and respect your decisions. This is your pregnancy. It is hard enough. You should work with a compassionate, reputable adoption professional that will prioritize your health and well-being. You should never feel judged, criticized, or pressured at any point during the adoption process.

Costs Involved in Adoption in Kentucky

Financial Assistance

As mentioned, you can get financial assistance for your Kentucky adoption.

At Adoptions With Love, Kentucky birth mothers who choose adoption can get the following support:

• Housing (we can cover a deposit and several months of rent)
• Utilities
• Phone bills
• Transportation
• Food
• Maternity clothes

Resources for Birth Parents

When planning your Kentucky adoption, it is important to consider the resources available. It takes a village. Who can you lean upon for support? Your adoption agency should offer you resources before and after the adoption is complete.

Post-Adoption Support in Kentucky

Emotional Support and Counseling

Adoption is a lifelong journey. The emotions an expectant/birth mother experiences do not disappear once the paperwork is filed. It is important to continue counseling services after the adoption is complete. At Adoptions With Love, we offer professional counseling services – at no cost – for up to one year following the adoption.

Kentucky Adoption Process FAQ

Who can guide expectant/birthmothers with an adoption in Kentucky?

Adoption is a complicated process. It is an emotional rollercoaster that can sometimes feel overwhelming. It is important to find support during this challenging time. The best type of resource to help you is an adoption professional.

There are several types of professionals who work specialize in adoption, such as:

• Adoption facilitators
• Adoption law centers & law firms
• Local adoption agencies
• National adoption agencies

A private, full-service adoption agency, such as Adoptions With Love, can help you with every step of the adoption process in Kentucky. They can offer you counseling services, legal assistance, and financial support – all at no charge to you, the expectant/birth mother.

Working with an adoption agency ensures that your adoption is safe, legal, and complete. It also ensures that the child goes to a safe, stable, and loving home. It is never a good idea to rely on third-party sites such as Facebook, Craigslist, or other online chat groups or forums for adoption help.

Adoptions With Love has been helping expectant/birth mothers navigate this journey since 1986. Our experience as a small, national adoption agency means that we guide and support you before and after the adoption is complete.

How to prepare for adoption in Kentucky?

The first step in making an adoption plan in Kentucky is by choosing an adoption agency. You should choose a professional with whom you can trust.

Once you have chosen an adoption agency, you will meet with a counselor so that they may get to know you and understand your needs.

In choosing adoption, you also have the power to choose:

• The type of adoption plan you want (open, semi-open, or closed)
• The adoptive parents
• How your hospital/birthing center experience will be regarding the adoptive family

Another key step in preparing for adoption is counseling services. The comprehensive counseling offered – for free – at Adoptions With Love includes round-the-clock care as you consider your adoption plans. You are going to experience a range of emotions throughout the adoption process and an experienced, compassionate counselor will be there to help you every step of the way. The counseling services do not end once the paperwork is signed. This complimentary service is offered to expectant/birth mothers for up to a year following the adoption.

As you prepare for adoption, you can rest assured that the adoptive families are preparing for adoption with the Home Study. This several-month-long process involves multiple home visits and interviews, background checks and screenings, and examining professional, medical, and financial documents. This ensures your child is raised in a safe, stable, and healthy environment.

What to expect after an adoption in Kentucky?

Adoption is not a sprint. There is no finish line, as you may expect to find after the court documents are filed. Adoption is a lifelong journey. Once your adoption is complete, the road to recovery and healing can begin.

Thanks to open adoption, the most common type of adoption plan today, adoption in Kentucky means you do not have to say “goodbye” forever to your child. It is, in fact, only the beginning of your relationship. With the help of your adoption agency, you can maintain ongoing communication with your child’s adoptive family. Many expectant/birth mothers find they form a deep, meaningful bond with this family. Not only are you gaining another family to love, but your child is being raised knowing that he/she is loved by two families. Most children in open adoptions report feeling happy about their circumstances. They are more likely to be read to, sung to, or told stories to, on a nightly basis.

Your adoption plan is completely up to you. If you would like to maintain frequent contact with your child’s adoptive family, that can be arranged. If you feel more comfortable with a semi-open adoption or a closed adoption, that is okay, too. There is no right or wrong way to make an adoption plan. Your adoption agency should respect your wishes and help guide you along in the journey, without placing any pressure upon you.

Ready To Pursue the Adoption Process in Kentucky?

Adoption is a transformative journey that can be overwhelming for birth parents. Adoptions With Love can help. Our experienced and caring staff can help you with every part of the adoption process in Kentucky.

If you would like to learn more about adoption in Kentucky, contact Adoptions With Love today. Call us 24/7 at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or reach out to us online.