Adopting a child is a complex, frustrating, emotional, challenging, terrifying, and even beautiful process.
When an adoption is completed, you will have suddenly become legally and emotionally responsible for the life of another human being. Being adopted can make all the difference in a child’s life, providing them with opportunities for love and success that they otherwise may not have received. But it can also have serious negative consequences if done rashly or for the wrong reasons.
The weight of your decision to adopt a child cannot be understated, and you need to be certain that doing so is the right choice for you and your family. In this two-part blog we will detail some of the things you need to consider before attempting to enter into an adoption. Be sure to check back soon for Part II.
1) Why?
You need to ask yourself why you want to do this. The adoption agency will certainly ask you and dig deeply into your motivations, so you need to understand them yourself. Do you simply want to adopt as a result of a major emotional upheaval in your life like a recent divorce or a miscarriage, or is this something you’ve always wanted to do because you want to provide a loving home for a child in need? Be very honest with yourself about why you want to adopt.
2) Finances
It is going to cost you a ton to adopt a child, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars you will spend raising them. Are your finances in order in such a way that you can handle this financial burden? Are you willing to make sacrifices in your own lifestyle in order to afford the costs of raising a child? You need to consider making a clear and thorough financial plan prior to taking any action to adopt a child.
3) Type of Adoption
There are numerous types of adoptions. Do you want to utilize a public or private agency? Do you want to adopt internationally or locally? There are various implications to each type of adoption, so consider the unique consequences, as well as the pros and cons of each possibility and how they will affect what you want out of an adoption.
4) The Child
Just as there are varying implications for the type of adoption you utilize, there are varying implications for the child you choose. For example, raising a child who is a newborn will be extremely different than raising an adolescent who remembers his or her parents. Do you want to adopt a special needs child? That is an entirely unique commitment for which you need to prepare. It may seem harsh to think about how you “pick the right child,” but it is in both your best interests and the best interests of the child to adopt someone whose needs and circumstances align with yours.
5) Racism
Many people, particularly those who adopt internationally, will adopt children who are a different race than they are. Are you prepared for the likelihood of dealing with racism and the challenges that your child may face because of his or her race that you have never had to deal with yourself?
Please be sure to check out Part II of our blog on ten things you need to consider before making the decision to adopt. If you are interested in adopting or have question about the adoption process, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Amsberry Law Firm to learn how we can help.
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry founded the Amsberry Law Firm in 1995 with the goal of providing clients with exceptional, focused representation on their issues. His success as a legal advocate has been reflected in the numerous professional honors he has received, such as speaking engagements and inclusion in Scene in SA magazine’s listing of the best lawyers in San Antonio, a Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubble, and an amazing rating from Avvo. [ Attorney Bio ]
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