Adoptive Parents

Adopting a child can be a long process that, at times, can be difficult to navigate. We have experience helping clients secure adoptions for all types of situations, including agency, private, intrafamily and foster care adoptions. Gaudin Law Group can help this process go as smoothly as possible so that you can start enjoying life with your new family.

The word adoption encompasses different kinds of adoption, intrafamily adoptions, sometimes referred to as stepparent/grandparent adoptions, agency adoptions, private adoptions and foster care adoptions. All adoptions share the same goal, but each type has specific legal procedures and requirements that families must meet. Not all attorneys understand these very nuanced adoption laws; that’s why it’s important to have an attorney that specializes in adoption law.

In the end, our heart is for these children to have the best possible life experiences so that they will be healthy, happy, productive citizens, made possible because they understood deeply that they are loved by both their biological family and their adoptive family.

Adoptive Parents

I just want to give a shout out to our attorney and his assistant during this entire adoption process with Rory. They have been so awesome and such a blessing.

We are blessed to have worked with Todd Gaudin for both Brody’s and Rory’s adoption and he even helped us as much as he could during Berkley’s.

– THE LEWIS FAMILY

The Lewis Family

I just want to give a shout out to our attorney and his assistant during this entire adoption process with Rory. They have been so awesome and such a blessing. We are blessed to have worked with Todd Gaudin for both Brody’s and Rory’s adoption and he even helped us as much as he could during Berkley’s.

Adoptive Parent Resources

Get the information you need about adoption. See our most frequently asked questions and additional resources below.

How much do private adoptions cost?

This is a difficult question to answer because every adoption is so different. There are certain expenses that are usually associated with private adoptions, but the amounts vary, these expenses include: our attorney fees, court costs, court filing fees, pre‑surrender or birth parent counselor expenses, your home study and post placement report fees and birth parent attorney expenses. Other adoption fees may include legally allowed birth mother living expenses, medical expenses, adoptive family travel and lodging, and third party consultation fees.

The range is wide – anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000, legal complexity, whether the father cooperates, human complications and drama can also increase the adoption’s total cost.

What is a home study and how do we get one?

It’s a written report drafted by a licensed professional (most often an LCSW). They will collect a lot of background information about the adoptive family through interviews, requests for criminal histories, abuse & neglect histories, and references. The professional will also include his or her own personal evaluation and instincts. The standard is whether this potential home will be a safe and healthy one for the child, not whether the family is perfect in every way. The report is not meant to arbitrarily disqualify people who want to adopt.

They usually cost about $1,500.00. You will need to make an appointment with someone knows the process and how to draft the report. We will be happy to supply you with referrals from trusted colleagues from all over the country and right here in Louisiana.

How long does the private adoption process take?

The amount of time you will have to wait before being matched can vary and depends on lots of different circumstances. But once you are matched, and the child is born – you have to wait until the child has lived with you for at least six months before we can submit the request for adoption. This is due to a legally required waiting period that is part of the vetting process to help ensure the placement is healthy.

Who chooses the child’s name?

The birth mother gets 1st Dibs. As the then‑legal parent, she has the right to choose her child’s first and middle name. She may also defer to the adoptive parents and allow them to choose the child’s first and middle name or the parents can mutually agree on a name. The child’s last name is required to be mother’s maiden name, if she is not married, or the name of the father, if she is married or agrees to have the father claim his paternity and add his name to the birth certificate.

The child’s legal name will be the name that is on the child’s birth certificate. The child’s legal name will be changed in some way after the adoption is granted and an amended birth certificate is issued. If the adoptive family chose the child’s name at birth, only the last name will change on the amended birth certificate. If the birth mother named the child at birth, the adoptive family may change the his or her full name when the adoption is granted.

What is the difference between an Adoption Attorney and an Adoption Agency?

Adoption attorneys and adoption agencies serve different roles in the adoption process. An adoption agency is a licensed organization that helps families who want to adopt find a child who needs a home.
On the other hand, an adoption attorney is a legal professional who provides legal services related to adoption. They can help prospective adoption parents with legal issues related to adoption, such as navigating the complex legal requirements, preparing legal documents, and representing them in court. Adoption attorneys can also provide legal representation for birth parents placing their child for adoption.

What type of adoption profile do I need?

The type of adoption profile you need will vary depending on the type of adoption you are using to form your family. If you are self-matching (which can also be called private matching or identified matching). In that case, you will need an adoption profile website, a video profile, and a way to get people to see those elements, typically done through paid advertising or through things like brochures, business cards, or even social media accounts.
If you are working with an adoption agency, you will likely need an adoption profile book, a video, and a website.
If you need help creating your adoption profile, check out my partner, My Adoption Coach, at https://www.myadoptioncoach.com/adoptionprofile.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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