Posted on Aug 21, 2014
Has anyone on here adopted a child? If so, what agencies would you recommend and what is your advice?
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We would like to adopt an elementary aged girl from the US, but aren't sure which agency to use, or where to start. Looking for advice from the knowledgeable folks on RP.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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I don't know anything about adoption but I would like to say Col (Join to see) that is awesome! I get so excited when I hear that people are trying to adopt children from the US! Adopting children in general is awesome!
I hope that you find the right agency and a wonderful young lady to welcome into your home!
So exciting!!
I hope that you find the right agency and a wonderful young lady to welcome into your home!
So exciting!!
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My wife and I have looked into the foster care system which houses a plethora of school aged children. It seems easier to navigate with only out of pocket legal fees. In New Mexico the state will actually pay you to utilize the foster system instead of adoption. Just a thought.
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Col (Join to see)
Capt Lancaster, thanks for your response! We have thought about the foster system as a possibility. What's the risk of losing that child back into the system though? Can they take the child back without warning after you have vested time and emotions into raising the child? I don't know, that's why I am asking.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
Sir, I'm not sure on the risks involved. We have had college friends successful in Orlando Florida if you would like their contact information I'd be happy to put you in touch with them. They were matched with a little girl about 3 months ago.
Also, my brother-in-law recently applied for a private adoption and is being matched next month. Their costs are looking to be about $35,000 and they raising funds online here- http://www.gofundme.com/dorisandrobadopt. I provided the link as their journey is being blogged about by his wife, which might have some insight into their process. We, unfortunately, are not quite there yet.
Also, my brother-in-law recently applied for a private adoption and is being matched next month. Their costs are looking to be about $35,000 and they raising funds online here- http://www.gofundme.com/dorisandrobadopt. I provided the link as their journey is being blogged about by his wife, which might have some insight into their process. We, unfortunately, are not quite there yet.
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Maj Chris Nelson
One of the key terms that we learned was "Legal Risk". Legal Risk is when a child is in the Foster system, but the parents have not had full legal custody cut. If you have a foster child in your home that has not had the Judge dissolve the family ties, they can and DO return to their biological family in many cases. If you want to be serious on adoption, one of the keys is to ask if the child is a legal risk....if they are, you can not be sure that they won't go back. If they are NOT a legal risk, it is a matter of navigating the system and laws to adopt. In many states, you will be licensed as a "foster to adopt" home. MT has a 6 month minimum time frame that the child must live in the home. At the end of 6 months, if all is going well, the judge will sign the adoption papers. If you decide to proceed, good luck!
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We were in the process. MT forces you to use the state DPHS, regardless of which private agency you use. Process fell appart when the 12 y/o stated (after 81 days) that she did not want to be part of our family, she packed all her stuff and asked when the state would be there to pick her up. Was a brutal 24 hours....and the devistation to the family extended for a week or 2....all stages of grief were experienced just as in a death. Good luck. It is NOT something we will do again.
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