The Florida adoption attorneys at Gulf Coast Adoptions are private adoption lawyers in Pensacola, Florida. We handle private adoptions, helping birth mothers and adoptive parents through the entire process.
Lawyer Clay H. Whittaker and his wife Cheryl are the professional and caring team of Gulf Coast Adoptions. We work to complete your private adoption quickly and accurately. We provide the personalized attention and care that you need from a private adoption lawyer. To see how we can assist you, contact us now.
Private Domestic Adoption in Florida
From our offices in Pensacola and with additional offices in Florida and Alabama, we handle private adoptions throughout both states. A state, soon to be included, is the State of Texas. We may assist you if you are:
- An expectant mother or birth mother considering the loving choice of private adoption for your child
- A couple or a single person wishing to adopt
- Birth parents and the adopting family who have already identified each other
- Either a birth parent or a prospective adoptive family looking to make a connection with a child or adoptive family
- Pursuing private adoption of a relative, or needing to complete a second-parent adoption
Clay H. Whittaker is a private adoption lawyer in Pensacola. Our law firm handles private adoptions in a variety of circumstances, always with professional representation and caring service.
The decision to adopt, or to place a child for adoption, is a personal and emotional one. Having a lawyer to take care of the legal steps is important. We want to give you confidence in your child’s future and set you up for success post-placement.
What is private adoption in Florida?
Private adoption in Florida is the direct placement of a child for adoption between the expecting birth parents, or current legal parents, and the adoptive parents.
Private Adoption Process
The private adoption process in Florida begins with the connection of a birth parent or current parent with adoptive parents. Lawyer Clay Whittaker and his wife Cheryl will explain the entire process, making sure that everyone involved has clear expectations.
To initiate the adoption, we file a petition with the court. The petition identifies the child to be adopted and gives other important details. The adoptive parents obtain a home study that shows their fitness to adopt a child. The parent with legal custody gives their consent. The court makes sure that the information is complete.
What Is the Private Adoption Process?
The private adoption process is the placement of a child for adoption through direct or facilitated contact between the parties rather than through a government agency. The placing parent decides to place their child for adoption. They choose who the adoptive parent or parents will be.
The parents agree on how the private adoption will work. The adoptive parents prepare the court paperwork and supporting documentation. They petition the court to proceed.
The judge makes sure the adoptive parents are qualified and that the adoption is in the child’s best interests. The court approves the adoption.
With private adoption, there is no government agency requiring the parent to place the child for adoption. The government is not involved in selecting the adoptive parent or discussing details and arrangements.
How Does Private Adoption Work?
Private adoption works by agreement between the parents. A private adoption may be open, semi-open, or closed. Most private adoptions are an open process. Both placing and adoptive parents have significant flexibility with how to do a private adoption, including the amount of information shared before and after the adoption is finalized.
Placing the child for adoption
The process starts when parents or soon-to-be parents decide to place their child for adoption. The decision to place a child for adoption can involve many circumstances. For example, expectant parents may choose to place their child for adoption. A step-parent may adopt a step-child. There may be a relative adoption after a parent’s death. Whatever the circumstances, the parents decide that adoption is the right and loving choice for a child.
Placing parents identify who they want to adopt their child. The adoptive parents agree to adopt the child. Those placing a child determine what is most important to them in selecting adoptive parents. Adoptive parents may decide whether to adopt a child. Because the adoption is private, there is no government agency requiring the parent to place their child for adoption. There is government involvement through the court in reviewing the home study and approving the adoption. However, the decision to go forward with the adoption is solely in the hands of the parents involved.
How the home study process works
Usually, adoptive parents must complete a home study. However, the home study requirement can be waived for some relative adoptions. The parents execute the required consents and supporting paperwork. Then, the adopting parents petition the court to terminate parental rights and complete the adoption. If the court approves, the court finalizes the adoption.
Even though the adoption is private, the documentation required is significant. You may have a lawyer represent you throughout the private adoption process.
How to do a private adoption
Adoptive parents should consider:
- Whether they want to do a domestic or international adoption
- Information and updates that they are willing to provide to the placing parent as the child grows
- If they will allow the placing parent to send cards or gifts for special occasions
- Health information from the biological parents that would be beneficial to know
- Whether they want to adopt a boy or a girl, or if they are open to any gender
- Contributions to birth mother expenses if adopting an infant
- Emotional preparedness
- Contingency plans, including travel for an out-of-area or international adoption
- Things that may be needed for a successful home study
- How to facilitate contact with the placing (birth) parents
- Financial considerations and support that may be available
When determining how to do a private adoption, parents should understand how the laws work for post-adoption contact. Florida allows post-adoption contact agreements, but everyone involved should understand how the courts enforce them and the circumstances under which an agreement can be changed.
An experienced attorney can assist you with tailoring how to do a private adoption for your circumstances.
Financial Considerations for Private Adoptions
Private adoptions are typically not eligible for adoption subsidies. Adoptions facilitated by government agencies may qualify for monthly subsidies if the child is considered hard to place (Florida Department of Children and Families – DCF in Florida, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services – DFPS in Texas). Children adopted through private adoption are usually not eligible for Title IV-E adoption assistance or Medicaid.
However, adoption tax credits can help with expenses. In addition, some employers have assistance programs, and private grants may be available to help with costs.
Private Adoption with a Lawyer
A lawyer can facilitate a private adoption. They can do confidential or open adoptions, but open and semi-open adoptions are the most common.
A lawyer can handle the legal steps of a private adoption, including preparing forms, filing with the court, and representing you at hearings. A private attorney can tailor representation to your needs, which can result in cost savings and a simplified process.
At Gulf Coast Adoptions, we take the time to understand the needs and wishes of those we serve. We handle a wide variety of adoption types, ensuring that legal requirements are met and that your interests are protected.
Reasons to Hire a Private Adoption Lawyer
Adoption changes the lives of everyone involved. Using a private adoption lawyer can help avoid errors that prevent approval or result in delays. You can have legal advice on what steps to take. Get answers to your questions throughout the process.
A private adoption lawyer knows how adoption works. They know the complex and nuanced laws that can be important. Your lawyer can take steps to protect you from legal challenges and other things that may complicate the adoption process.
Your lawyer can complete paperwork on your behalf. They can represent you at hearings, speaking on your behalf, presenting information, and advocating to the court.
By using a private lawyer, you can tailor your adoption process to your needs and preferences.
Choose our experienced and caring team.
As adoptive parents ourselves, we believe that the adoption process should be personal. What sets us apart as a private adoption lawyer is our communication. We spend hours talking with prospective adoptive parents and those considering adoption with no fee or obligation. With flat fees for our representation, you don’t have to worry about escalating costs.
We never use a call screener or an answering service. When you call us, you’ll talk to us. Come meet our experienced and caring team with a free consultation.
Talk to a Private Adoption Lawyer in Pensacola
Gulf Coast Adoptions is currently accepting new clients. Learn more about your options with a private adoption lawyer. Meet our team and learn about our services.
Gulf Coast Adoptions operates in Pensacola and throughout Florida and Alabama. Call or message us to talk to a lawyer now.
Private Adoption FAQs
Is private adoption right for me?
To learn more about private adoption and whether it is right for you, we invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can talk about the benefits of private adoption and your situation. We want you to have the information you need to make the right choice for your family.
Can a single person adopt in Florida?
Yes! Single people can legally adopt in Florida. We would be proud to help you grow your family if you adopt as a single person.
Does the birth father have to cooperate for a Florida private adoption?
A birth father must take affirmative steps to assert their legal rights. Otherwise, their child may be placed for adoption without their cooperation.
As a birth mom, can I receive support for essentials with a private adoption?
Yes! If you pursue a private adoption, you may receive help with essential needs during your pregnancy, including housing, utilities, food, maternity clothes, toiletries, and health care.
How do you start the private adoption process?
The private adoption process starts when the placing and adoptive parents identify each other. Those involved discuss their goals for adoption and determine if they want to proceed. These discussions can be facilitated by a third party. The legal process begins by filing court paperwork. But there may be important things to do first, like completing a home study and birth parents completing relinquishment of rights paperwork.
How hard is it to do a private adoption?
The complexity of doing a private adoption depends on the type of adoption. It also depends on whether there are any specific issues, including questions of whether a home study will be favorable or what may be needed for the court to approve the adoptive placement. Any adoption is a life-changing process for everyone involved. The legal and personal involvement is significant. It is also a financial commitment for the adopting family. An attorney can advise on issues and questions that may impact how hard the process may be.
Is there a “right” way to make the private adoption process work?
Private adoptions happen in a variety of circumstances and situations. There is no one “right” or best way for every family. Parents have considerable flexibility in communication, information sharing, and other important choices in adoption. However, an attorney can offer insight into options and things to consider. They can explain the pros and cons of potential paths and how to tailor the adoption for your family’s situation.