If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about your options. Jennifer can assist you if you are in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia and you are considering an adoption plan for your child. We represent many birth mothers and birth fathers each year who wish to place their child without relying on an agency list of potential adoptive families. Many choose private adoption because it provides them control over their adoption plan and gives them an opportunity to consider many families across the country. It is important for you to know that you are in control of the adoption process, which means you will have to make many difficult decisions and we can assist you in making informed decisions that are best for you.
In Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia birth parents have the right to make an adoption plan through an agency or independently (also called private adoption or parental placement). Prior to choosing the option that works for you, we can explain the legal process for agency and independent adoption and what you can expect from each type of adoption. The firm can explain the differences in choosing a family that lives in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia or in another State. The adoptive family you select can be located anywhere in the United States. As an informed expectant parent, you can have more confidence in your adoption plan and in the family you select.
If you decide to place your child for adoption independently or privately, we can provide you information on how to locate an adoptive family safely and once you select an adoptive family can represent you through the adoption process regardless of where your adoptive family resides. Having your own lawyer can help to ensure your rights are protected and the adoption plan unfolds as you envision.
It is important to know that Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia prohibit an attorney or a facilitator from matching a birth family with an adoptive family - this means a person cannot be paid a fee to find an adoptive family for you. Thus, we will not find an adoptive family for you but we will help you formulate an adoption plan, provide you information to allow you to locate a family and advise you regarding the laws applicable to your adoption plan. Once you select an adoptive family and they agree to work with you it is deemed a "match" and we can continue to represent you through the process. Once there is a match, adopting parents will cover the birth parents' legal fees which will be discussed with their attorney prior to proceeding with the plan.
As an expectant parent who is interested in making an adoption plan, you should know your rights and options including the right to make a private or agency adoption plan and the right to parent. Often the laws can be confusing particularly when distinguishing between the rights of birth mothers and birth fathers and the laws of the state where you reside compared to the laws where the adoptive family resides. Sometimes your home state laws apply and sometimes the adoptive parents home state laws apply and we can explain this to you in detail so you understand and can make an informed decision.
Jennifer and Catelyn can also advise you on the laws that impact you including Safe Haven laws, consent and revocation laws, paternity issues and costs associated with the placement of a child for adoption. For example, if your adoption is proceeding under Maryland law as a private adoption you will have thirty (30) days after you sign the Consent to change your mind - the Consent cannot be signed until the baby has been born. In the District of Columbia, your consent is irrevocable upon signing and is usually signed at least 24 hours after the baby is born for a private adoption and, in an agency placement you have 14 days to change your mind about the adoption. In Virginia, you will sign your consent in Court before a Judge three days or more after the baby is born and you have seven days to revoke (change your mind) after you sign the judicial consent. You have a right to adoption counseling paid for by the adoptive parents and the adoptive parents can pay for uncovered medical expenses and your legal fees. However, if your adoption is proceeding under the laws of another state, your revocation rights are in accordance with the laws of the adoptive parents' state. We can assist you in understanding your rights in an interstate adoption. All three local jurisdictions have provisions for enforceability of post adoption contact agreements while some states do not allow for these agreements.
Jennifer's prospective adoptive families. Please click on their names to review their website and if you are interested please contact them through their website which has both an email and phone number for you to contact them. All families are home study approved and ready to speak with you about an adoption plan for your child:
Marcos and Chris Steven & Jamie Takashi & Li Anjali & Riki
Liz & Danny Heather & Elizabeth Anjali Jeannette Curtis & Lucas Emily & Frank Kristen and Matthew
