5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Adoption in Illinois

Adopting a child is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. Consequently, the need for sincere contemplation about this decision can hardly be overstated. Some people choose to adopt a child because they want to give a parentless child a chance at a loving home. Others adopt because fertility issues make biological children impossible. Some families adopt a family member such as a niece, nephew, or grandchild. Whatever type of adoption you are seeking, it is important to ask yourself some serious questions.

Why Do I Want to Adopt?

One of the most important questions to ask yourself is, “Why do I want to adopt a child?” Your answer to this question can help guide you toward the type of adoption that is right for you. The reasons for adoption are as varied as the children being adopted.

Does the Child’s Age Matter?

Many people want to adopt an infant. This allows them to raise the child as their own from the very beginning of the child’s life. However, thousands of children and teenagers are also waiting for a family. The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) places neglected, abused, and abandoned children in foster homes while they wait to be adopted. Many of these children dream of a “forever home.”

Do I Meet the Illinois Requirements for Adoption?

To adopt a child in Illinois, you will need to establish residency by living in the state for at least six months. The residency requirement is waived if you are adopting a family member. If the adoptive child is 14, the child must give his or her consent to be adopted. Adoption agencies may have their own specific requirements as well.

Do I Want an Open or Closed Adoption?

In an open adoption, the biological parent(s) and the child stay in contact. The adoptive parents and biological parents may spend holidays together with the child or even go on vacations together. In a closed adoption, the biological parent does not communicate with or visit the child.

Am I Prepared for the Legal Process of Adoption?

Many people underestimate the complexity of the adoption process. Adopting a child is a legal process that takes place through the courts. As with any legal process, obstacles and unexpected challenges can arise. This is why it is so important to work with a skilled adoption lawyer.

Contact a Plainfield Adoption Lawyer

If you are interested in adopting a child, contact a skilled Joliet adoption attorney at Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C. for help. Call us at 815-666-1285 today for a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/lovinghomes/adoption/Documents/Adopting-a-Child-Through-DCFS.pdf