Adopting is a life-changing decision that could change the lives of not only the prospective parents but of the child as well.
However, as easy as it may sound to simply bring a child home and take care of them as a part of your family, there is a legal adoption process each and every prospective parent should observe in order to guarantee a successful and seamless adoption process.
If you are a hopeful parent who’s looking to figure out where to start with the adoption process, but are unfamiliar with the Arkansas adoption laws, our team of adoption lawyers are more than happy to provide counsel and assist you navigate the journey every step of the way.
The Adoption Process
Before you start daydreaming about the perfect family with your future child, you first need to familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria. In the state of Arkansas, basic requirements are:
- Age Requirement – Any adult of the age of 18 or older is eligible to adopt a child in Arkansas. Certain adoption agencies may have their own age requirements, however.
- Marital Status- Both married couples and single individuals are eligible to adopt, however, married couples should have both spouses consent to the adoption.
- Residency Requirements – Arkansas does not explicitly state that you must be a resident of the state of Arkansas to adopt, however, some agencies may prefer if you are an in-state resident.
- Financial Stability – The adoptive parent/s must have the financial means to provide for the child’s needs. Though an exact income level is not required, proof of some level of financial responsibility is necessary.
- Background Check – All prospective parents are required to undergo a criminal background check for crimes such as child abuse, neglect, or felony convictions.
- Health Requirements – The applying parent/s must be in good physical and mental health in order to care for the child, which could entail medical evaluations.
- Child’s Consent – In Arkansas, if a child is 12 years or older, they must provide consent to the adoption, unless the court dismisses this requirement for special circumstances such as health concerns.
Choosing Your Type of Adoption
There are multiple types of adoption to consider before beginning your adoption journey. In Arkansas, you can consider Foster Care Adoption, which means adopting a child in the foster care system who is legally free for adoption.
Additionally, you can also opt for Private Domestic Adoption, which means you can coordinate with the child’s birth parents or the agency in charge for a direct placement.
Of course, you must also consider where the child is currently situated. You must determine which method of adoption applies to you and your situation. These methods of adoption include domestic adoption, (adopting a child whose parents live in the United States), international adoption (adopting a child from a country other than the United States), or private adoption (adopting a child who is not in state custody or the custody of an adoption agency; this includes adoption of relatives and stepchildren), note that understanding which of the methods apply to you is key in determining whether you are able to adopt the child.
As each type of adoption comes with unique legal procedures, it is essential that you consult an adoption lawyer in order to figure out just how to adopt a child.
Filing Your Petition to Adopt
If you’ve narrowed down which type of adoption you need to fulfill, the next step is to file a legal petition with the court. This entails that you request approval for adoption, and includes private information about both you as the parent/s and the child. An adoption attorney will easily speed up this process.
Completing the Home Study
Once your petition is filed, you’ll be required to have a home study conducted. A home study is a mandatory part of adopting a child, and involves either a social worker or a representative of an adoption agency visiting your home to conduct a background check, observing both your financial and emotional readiness, as well as seeing how you manage your home life.
Attending Court Hearings
Once you’ve provided all legal and procedural requirements, the court will schedule a series of adoption hearings, culminating in a final adoption hearing. During this hearing, a judge will review the case and confirm that all legal aspects are in place and valid before he issues the final adoption decree. By that point, you are officially new adoptive parents to your wonderful child.
Be Represented by Experts
We at Digby Law would like nothing more than to help you achieve your dreams of adopting your very own child. With adoption lawyers well versed in Arkansas adoption laws, extremely careful planning and top-notch legal guidance, you can consider yourself a parent already. Whether you are wondering where to start the adoption process, how to adopt a child, or even just need help with the legal paperwork, look no further than Digby Law.