Adoption Myths and Truths

 

Myth

Truth

 
 

There are no children to adopt in the United States.

In California alone, there are over 10,000 children who need a home. Nationally, there are approximately 150,000 languishing in long-term foster care whose lives would be changed forever if they were adopted. There are about 1.2 million abortions a year in the U.S., whereas we only complete 120,000 total adoptions a year (60,000 from the foster care system and 60,000 voluntary adoptions). There are 500,000 children in foster care and over four million grandparents and relatives raising children because the parents are unable to!

 
 

The birth mother will take her baby back.

Less than two percent of birth mothers who voluntarily place their child with adoptive parents change their minds in our experience. The average age of birth mothers is 26, they are mature and serious about adoption because they know it gives their child a loving, stable home and family. That is their goal and they follow through with their adoption plan.

 
 

The birth father can stop the adoption if he does not agree.

Less than five percent of voluntary adoptions are formally contested by the birth father. Of those, less than half choose to go to a hearing, and those that do are usually not successful because of the approach we take and the requirements of the law.

 
 

Adoption is too financially draining. It will cost more than $30,000.

An adoption can be effectively accomplished for less than that. There are also tax credits of approximately $14,000 for those who qualify. You can also adopt through Foster Care for “0” dollars! The law provides Adoption Tax Credits that helps lower adoption costs.

 
 

Child Protective Services is a good place for a newborn child to be and they will handle everything if a birth mother is not able to.

Birth mothers are more satisfied voluntarily placing their child for adoption in a home they have chosen rather that having CPS take the child. Social Services is a large organization, with overburdened caseworkers that does not care for the mother like adoptive parents do. An experienced adoption lawyer is focused on helping birth mothers and adoptive families make the right match before CPS needs to get involved. Together the birth mother and adoptive parents can define how the adoption process will look.

 
 

It is better to adopt a newborn than a child who is older.

Once families adopt a child or get involved in fostering a child, many find there is room in their hearts for children of any age, often leading to the adoption of older children.

 

From the Anaheim-based FAMILYBUILDING, A Professional Law Corporation, can answer questions and concerns that pregnant women and adoptive families may have about adoption. There is no charge to birth mothers to seek the guidance of an attorney. Please call with questions at 714-408-2900.