The Legal Aspects of Placing Your Child for Adoption
As a birth mother with an unplanned pregnancy, there are many things to consider when deciding to place your child for adoption. This includes birth mother responsibilities and rights, as well as what an attorney can help with.
Your responsibilities as a birth mother, planning to give your child up for adoption, include things such as the following:
- Providing medical information as well as all known drug/alcohol/tobacco use during pregnancy.
- Being forthcoming with honest and accurate information you provide.
- Knowing that if you do not relinquish your rights, you are still financially responsible for your child.
Your rights as a birth mother include things such as the following:
- Choosing to identify or not identify the birth father.
- Giving your child a name of your choice, knowing that the adoptive parents might change the name.
- Signing a relinquishment or consent to adoption anytime 24 hours after delivery.
- Parenting your child even if you have made plans for giving your baby up for adoption.
- Parenting your child even if you are a minor.
- You have the right to consult with an attorney before relinquishing your parental rights.
As a birth mother, an attorney can help advise you on legalities of adoption including the following:
- Requesting as much time as you need to make your decision prior to signing a consent to adoption, and relinquishing your parental rights.
- Receiving copies of all documents that you sign and helping keep your information confidential
Essentially, attorneys are helpful when it comes to advising you on your rights and responsibilities as a birth mother. For the full information on birth mother rights and responsibilities, please consult with an attorney in your area for adoption related legal advice and counsel. For more information regarding adoption, specifically Idaho and Utah adoption services, please contact Forever Bound Adoption at 801-821-1354.