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ADOPTION & ART ATTORNEYS IN MARYLAND, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA & VIRGINIA

ADOPTION & ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ART) ATTORNEYS

    • Adoption in Maryland [The Complete Guide]

      ADOPTIVE FAMILY SERVICES

      Adoption in Maryland [The Complete Guide]

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    There are many choices and paths you can take on a Maryland adoption journey. We can help whether you are pregnant and considering placing your baby for adoption, or  hoping to adopt a child domestically or internationally, through foster care private agency or independent adoption.
    Looking for information specific to your city?  Explore our guides to adoption in
    BALTIMORE | FREDERICK | ROCKVILLE


    Below, you’ll find a step-by-step overview of the adoption process in Maryland as well as some answers to the most common questions about Maryland adoption laws. Remember, if you have questions about adopting a child or placing a baby for adoption in Maryland, you can always contact us for answers.


    In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about adoption in Maryland:

    • Choose adoption.

      For some pregnant couples and hopeful adoptive parents, adoption is an easy choice. Others may feel unsure at first. Adoption isn’t the right path for everyone, but could it be the best choice for you?


      Adoptive parents will also need to choose the type of adoption they want to pursue, whether that’s:


      • Domestic or international
      • Public (foster care) or private (direct infant placement)
      • If private, agency-assisted or independent (without an agency)

      We can help you with all of these adoption types. And, if you're not sure which path is right for you, we'll answer any questions you may have about the different types of adoption in Maryland.



      Contact us today if you’d like more information about adopting or placing a baby for adoption in Maryland.

    • Choose an adoption professional.

      Prospective birth parents will want to choose a professional who meets their needs, listens to their desires and helps them realize their ideal adoption plan. Our attorneys will help you create a personalized adoption plan with which you feel 100-percent comfortable. We will then help you execute your plan so that your child has the life you want for them.


      Adoptive parents will want to choose a professional who can complete the type of adoption they prefer in addition to meeting their needs and desires. Whichever type of adoption you choose, we can help you complete the Maryland adoption process legally, safely and ethically.


      As a prospective birth or adoptive parent (and regardless of whether you choose to work with additional adoption professionals), you’ll always need  a licensed, experienced adoption attorney to complete a Maryland adoption. We’d be honored to serve as your legal guide and advocate for this life-changing experience.

    • Create your adoption plan.

      This step is all about envisioning your ideal future. Prospective birth parents will want to consider their wishes for the adoption, including the level of openness they desire and the type of adoptive family they're envisioning. Prospective adoptive parents will need to think about the adoption situations they're willing to consider.


      As your adoption counsel, we will review and discuss all of these options (and more) with you.


      We'll work together to create

       an adoption plan that feels comfortable and right for your unique journey. We'll help you create a plan that will most benefit the child at the heart of your adoption.

    • Find an adoption opportunity.

      In a private agency or independent adoption, this is the stage in which prospective birth and adoptive parents search for each other and connect.  Hopeful parents pursuing international or public agency (foster care) adoption will receive a referral for a child who is waiting to be adopted. Depending on the type of adoption and professional you choose, this process will vary. However, no matter what the process, we'll guide you through it all.

    • Complete placement.

      We'll ensure that this step is complete under Maryland adoption laws, which can be complex. Placement is an emotional experience  for everyone involved. We’ll handle the legal side of things so you can focus on what’s most important.

    • Complete finalization and begin post-adoption life.

      Finalization is the last stage of adoption in Maryland. We’ll walk you through this step and make sure everything has been completed correctly. After the proper completion of this step, the child will be a legal, permanent and beloved member of his or her (adoptive) family.


      Depending on the level of openness desired in each adoption situation, we’ll help the birth and adoptive families communicate throughout the years in whatever manner is most comfortable. No matter what, birth and adoptive families share a lifelong connection of love through their child.



    3 of the Most Common Questions About Adopting a Child in Maryland

    When you’re pregnant and considering placing your baby for adoption in Maryland, you likely have countless questions. We know the legal steps can seem intimidating, but we’ll answer all of your questions and make sure you fully understand your options

    “What are the requirements to place a baby for adoption in Maryland?”


    There are no requirements for placing a baby for adoption. You simply need to work with a licensed adoption professional or a licensed adoption attorney. Contact us now  if you need information about placing your baby for adoption in Maryland.



    “When and how can a birth parent consent to an adoption in Maryland?”


    In private domestic infant adoptions, the birth mother and father can issue their legal  consent to the adoption at any time after the birth of the child. We’ll walk you through this step and ensure that you fully understand everything you consent to before you sign anything. It’s our responsibility to ensure that your adoption is completed correctly, legally and ethically.


    “If I place my baby for adoption, will I have a say in anything?”


    If you’re placing your baby for adoption, you have a say in everything, including:


    • Who adopts your child
    • The level of openness you want post-adoption
    • And much more



    Ready to take the first step of adoption in Maryland? Contact us now to get information, or to begin your Maryland adoption process.


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