Arizona Open Adoption Agency Guide

Adoption is a positive choice for anyone who is not yet ready to parent. If you are living in Arizona and facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be considering this option. The first thing to know is that you are not alone. You can find the support you need, and you can take your time to weigh your options. The next thing to know, thanks to open adoption in Arizona, you can lovingly make an adoption plan for your child and look forward to a future that includes building a lasting relationship with your child for years to come.

While adoption is a great choice, it is often referred to as “giving baby up for adoption.” This outdated term is misleading because adoption is anything BUT giving up. Choosing to place your child for adoption means choosing to place their needs before you own. Adoption can ensure your child has a life full of love and opportunity. With open adoption in Arizona, you can rest assured that your child will grow up knowing they are loved by two families instead of one.

If you are thinking about adoption, you may have many questions. You have come to the right place. In this guide, we will share what you need to know about Arizona open adoption.

What is Open Adoption in Arizona?

Open adoption can look different for every family, but to answer this question simply: It means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families. The birth mother (you) can choose the adoptive parent(s). You can also determine how you will stay connected with your child’s adoptive family and how often this communication will take place.

With a closed adoption, there is zero information shared between birth and adoptive families and there is no communication before or after the adoption is complete. Sometimes this approach is more comfortable for some people. An Arizona open adoption, on the flip side of this, is all about open, honest communication and mutual respect for the two parties that share a love for the same child.

An Overview of the Arizona Open Adoption Process

To fully understand how Arizona open adoption works, we will break down the open adoption process:

1. Choose an adoption agency. This is the first step of the adoption journey. Be sure to choose an adoption professional that can provide you with the supportive services you need during this challenging time in your life. The best adoption agencies in Arizona will offer you free legal and emotional support, while also offering financial assistance, as well. You should feel taken care of by this professional. You should also be treated with warmth, kindness, and respect.
2. Choose your child’s adoptive family. You adoption agency can provide you with adoptive family profiles of those who are ready – and pre-approved – to adopt. The screening process is quite thorough thanks to the Home Study. The Home Study ensures that every child is going to a safe, stable, and healthy home. This is done with a thorough background check(s), at-home visits and interviews, and the review of important medical and financial documents. This process takes several months to complete. Birth parents can rest assured that any adoptive family that has completed the Home Study is responsible and healthy enough – physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially – to raise a child.
3. Design your adoption plan. An Arizona open adoption is a positive choice, but the exact type of adoption plan you have varies greatly based on your needs and wishes. Consider your love languages. Will you want to have in-person meetings with your child’s adoptive family? Do you wish to send presents as a way to express your love and gratitude? Your Arizona adoption agency can help you determine the right plan for you and work with you to custom design this plan.
4. Get to know the adoptive parent(s). Open adoption is a lifelong journey. It is helpful to get to know your child’s adoptive family as soon as you know they are right for your child. Take some time to speak with them on the phone. You can work with your adoption agency to arrange phone calls, virtual video chats, or even in-person visits.
5. Prepare for birth. Your adoption agency can also help you design a birth plan that will meet your needs and make you feel comfortable. This can address who you want in the delivery room with you, who should hold the baby first, and whether you would like special time alone with the baby.
6. Continue counseling services and building relationships. The finalization of an adoption may feel like the end of a chapter, but it is only the beginning. Once your child’s adoption is complete, you should continue to pursue counseling services. Your Arizona open adoption agency should support this endeavor. Adoptions With Love, for example, covers counseling services up to a year after the adoption is complete. You can also continue to build a relationship with your child’s adoptive family. This is the start of a new life for everyone involved in the adoption triad.

Legal Aspects of Open Adoption in Arizona

Adoption is complex and varies among states. It is important to work with an Arizona adoption agency that can connect you with an Arizona adoption attorney. This professional understands the adoption laws in Arizona and ensures the adoption is carried out smoothly, legally, and safely. They can also ensure that your rights as an expectant/birth mother are protected. They can answer any questions you may have about the adoption process to empower you throughout this journey.

In Arizona, for example, a birth parent can only consent to adoption after 72 hours (about 3 days) after the child’s birth. This gives you time to meet your baby and consider your decision one more time. Once consent is given, it cannot be revoked. This is why it is important to take as much time as you need before making it official. It is never too late to place your child for adoption.

Benefits of Open Adoption in Arizona

Open adoption offers many benefits for everyone involved – birth parent(s), adoptive parent(s), and the adoptee. Children in open adoption grow up knowing their background, their story, their birth parent(s), and the fact they are loved by two families instead of one.

Birth mothers who choose adoption enjoy many benefits of open adoption in Arizona. Birth mothers who choose adoption are less likely to live in poverty and need public assistance. They are also more likely to finish school, and more likely to be employed a year after giving birth.

Open adoption also gives birth mothers a sense of freedom. It may be comforting to know you can move forward with your life and work toward your personal and professional goals while your child is safe, well-cared-for, and loved. You can also rest assured that adoption is not “goodbye forever.” It is the start of a new chapter, one in which you can start to build a relationship with your child’s adoptive family for the many years of their upbringing.