Many hopeful adoptive parents approach adoption with dreams of being placed with a newborn baby. They imagine cradling their child in their arms for the first time — tears, laughter and a sense of awe over this new life that is now a part of their family.
Is this your dream, too? If so, there’s a good chance you will need to pursue an agency adoption.
There’s more than one way for a family to adopt. Each has pros and cons, and we would encourage you to consider all of your options carefully. What is best for one family may not be best for another, because we are all on unique paths. Agency adoption is typically the best choice for a family who wants to adopt an infant or newborn from the United States.
When it comes to agency adoptions in Illinois, things can get complicated. It’s a long process with a lot of steps. There are requirements to meet from the agency and the law — potentially even laws from multiple states with different requirements. There are regulations and rules, not to mention the emotional ups and downs that accompany such a personal journey. A steady, experienced guide along the way can make all the difference in the world when you are looking to adopt privately. That’s where we come in.
The Gillespie Law Group has been helping families complete private agency adoptions in Illinois for more than two decades. We’ve seen nearly every situation imaginable and are prepared for anything. We truly believe in adoption and the importance of family. Aside from the families themselves, no one wants to see an adoption completed more than we do.
You can contact us at any time to learn more about how our services can help you start a family.
If you’re considering private agency adoption in Illinois as a family-building option for your family, here’s what you should know and how we can help.
What is Agency Adoption?
Agency adoption, sometimes known as private agency adoption, happens when hopeful adoptive parents work with an adoption agency to be placed with a child. On the other side of the picture, a prospective birth mother is also working with an adoption agency to place her newborn for adoption. Typically, the prospective birth mother is shown several adoptive family profiles and then chooses the family she believes will love, care for and raise her baby in the best way.
You may see agency adoption referred to as private adoption as you research this family-building option. It’s important to know that private adoption is not necessarily the same as independent adoption, which is a common misunderstanding. An independent adoption occurs without the help of an adoption agency. Hopeful adoptive parents and a prospective birth mother locate each other without an agency’s assistance. This type of adoption does come with risks. Even with independent adoption, it is seriously advised to seek the guidance and support of an adoption attorney as early in the process as possible.
For private agency adoptions in Illinois, the hopeful adoptive parents will typically work with an adoption agency and an adoption attorney.
How is Private Agency Adoption Different from Other Types of Adoption?
Speaking in very broad terms, there are three types of adoption: private infant adoption, foster care adoption and international adoption.
To narrow down your choice, think about if you want to adopt from within the U.S. If the answer is yes, you are down to agency adoption and foster care adoption. Choosing between these two will depend on a variety of factors and your unique situation. For some families, foster care adoption is ideal. Other hopeful parents will turn to private agency adoption.
A lot goes into this decision. One of the most common deciding factors is whether or not you want to adopt an infant. While there are thousands of waiting children in the foster care system, most are older. If infant adoption is your dream, then a private agency adoption is typically the best path.
There are other distinctions between agency adoptions and the other types of adoption. Private adoption with an agency is heavily regulated, which is a good thing for you. This regulation ensures that the process is ethical and always in the best interests of the child. Additionally, an agency adoption is the best chance you have at an open or semi-open adoption, in which there is contact with the birth mother post-placement. While open adoption may be a scary concept, it’s actually common in modern-day adoption, and research suggests it can be extremely beneficial, especially for the child.
Why do I Need an Attorney for a Agency Adoption in Illinois?
The adoption process is complicated. There are a plethora of laws, requirements and regulations involved. And it’s vital that all of these things are followed. We’ve played a part in thousands of agency adoptions over the years. Here’s what that means for you:
- We have better connections with the best adoption agencies
- We know the ins and outs of both state laws and agency requirements
- We know how to effectively facilitate communication between you, the agency and our office so that nothing vital is missed along the way
- We’ve seen nearly every agency adoption situation possible, and we’re ready to tackle whatever complex legal issues arise
You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to your adoption. This is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. You deserve to feel totally supported and confident. We strive to give you that confidence and peace of mind from knowing a hard-working, experienced adoption attorney is watching out for you.
Are you interested in learning more about private agency adoption in Illinois or working with us for your adoption? We’d love to talk. Contact us to schedule a free consultation or give us a call at 312-332-6339 to learn more about the ways we can help you create a family.