Deciding to have children is a significant step, and there are many ways in which a couple, or a single person, can actually take that step. Adoption is one way to create a family that is perhaps not as often considered. In Georgia, adults can adopt through either a private adoption agency, or through the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). The adoption process requires a number of steps, no matter which agency an individual chooses.  

A common first step for any couple or party seriously considering adoption is to attend an information session that is conducted by DFCS. At this session prospective families will discover not only the specific details of the adoption process, but also the the criteria required by DFCS for an individual or family to become adoptive parents, if the prospective family is considering adopting through DFCS. If, after the information session, a prospective family is still ready to proceed with the adoption process, a Resource Development worker will set up a time to visit the prospective home for the initial home visit.

After this sign up process, a prospective family will need to complete the Adoption Preparation Program that is sponsored by DFCS, or an equivalent program if the family is adopting through a licensed private adoption agency. This preparation program includes 23 hours of in-class training. Its at this stage that a prospective family will be assigned a case manager who will perform the more in-depth analysis of the prospective family. The information gathered by the case manager includes multiple home visits and gathering of all of the important financial statements, medical records and criminal backgrounds of all members of the prospective family, among other information.

If a prospective family progresses to the third phase of this process, they have completed the Adoption Preparation Program and have been approved by their case manager after the conclusion of their Family Evaluation. At this point, the family is considered by the agency as a family ready to adopt a child.

The fourth phase of the process is called Pre-placement. During this time, the prospective family is actively searching for a child or children to adopt. Searching for a child to adopt can include things like going to adoption parties and match meetings to determine if the child or children they meet would be a good fit for their prospective home.

In the fifth phase of adoption, called Placement, a prospective family identifies a child in whom they are interested, and the family and the agency will view all relevant information about the child and decide whether the child might be a potential match for the family. If there is mutual interest, a series of pre-placement visits will occur, giving all parties an opportunity to determine whether both the prospective family and the child are an appropriate match for each other.

And finally, if there is a satisfactory match between child and prospective parents or parent, the adoption can be finalized. During finalization, the acting agency signs a release of rights of the child, and delivers the release to the prospective parents attorney, who then file an adoption petition with the courts. There is a hearing in which the judge reviews the details, if the judges deems the adoption appropriate, her or she will approve the adoption, and the child becomes a legal member of the adoptive, family.

If you are considering adoption, having a knowledgeable attorney who can assist you with the extensive process is a necessity. The skilled attorneys at The Fairell Firm can help you successfully navigate adoption procedures and ultimately create the family that you desire. Call today at 678.973.2803 or contact us to schedule a consultation.