The thought of a failed adoption, is the worst nightmare for a couple considering adoption. There are quite a few risks in domestic as well as international adoption. This article particularly focuses on the risks involved in domestic adoption.
Domestic adoption is known to carry a fair amount of risk for the adoptive parents. However, when compared to international adoptions, these risks are of lesser magnitude. Besides, most of the so-called risks associated with domestic adoption originate from lack of information and unavailability of reliable statistical data. Some myths revolving around domestic adoption too, result from the fear of having the biological parents in proximity with the child.
This risk is absent when you go for an international adoption. Nonetheless, the success rate of domestic adoption is pretty good, with about 35,000 adoptions a year (barring foster and relative adoptions). This number is more than all the international adoptions put together. However, you need to acquaint yourself with the possible risks of domestic adoption, so that you can make the child-adoption process, a pleasant experience.
Possible Risks Involved in a Domestic Adoption
The process of domestic adoption is often undertaken privately by the couple seeking adoption. Usually, they approach an adoption agency which looks for prospective adoptee as per the specifications of the couple, if any. The biological parents of the child may also have their own criteria regarding the family they want to give their child for adoption (In USA, biological parents choose the adoptive family for their child).
The agency plays a matchmaker for both the parties involved in an adoption. A conflict may arise at any stage, if the agency fails to meet the specifications of either party. Hence, it is a must, that you trust only a reputable organization for completing the legalities of adoption on your behalf. In spite of taking all the necessary precautions, you may still have to encounter a few unseen challenges that may hamper or delay the process of adoption. Here are a few domestic adoption risks.
Biological Mother Having a Change of Heart
It is often easy to consent to an adoption while the baby is still in your womb. However, when you finally held your little one in your arms, the prospect of giving him away seems daunting. Many mothers who see adoption as the only way of securing the future of their child start having second thoughts about their decision. Most of the time, these mothers have no support from the biological father of the child, making the journey of raising a child on their own, a tough one. Such women often realize that adoption is best for themselves as well as their child. Only a few mothers (20% to be precise) actually revert from their decision of adoption.
Biological Father Contesting Against Adoption
As rare a possibility this can be, we still have cases that ended in court after biological father challenged the adoption consented by his partner. As mentioned above, women seeking adoption for their children are often unsupported by the father of child and have weaker finances. Many a time, they are even unaware about the whereabouts of the father, hence single-handedly carry out the legalities of adoption. In such cases, it is likely that the father may challenge her decision in future and drag the adoptive parents to court. To avoid such undesirable circumstances, you should meticulously take measures to notify the known/unknown biological father regarding the adoption. This can secure your case, should it end in a court of law, in future.
Child Not Making It
This is the biggest risk when you decide to adopt an unborn child. Complications during birth or certain unforeseen circumstances may result in the death of fetus. This can be a devastating news for both the parties involved in an adoption. There is also a similar risk in domestic infant adoption, owing to certain medical conditions that may hamper infant’s life. Besides, there is an additional risk of the child being born with special needs. As most adoptive parents hope for a healthy baby, this situation can further complicate the adoption process.
Financial Risk
Adoption is not just a lengthy process, but also an expensive one. However, knowing the expenses beforehand can lower your worries to some extent. Inquire with the adoption agency regarding the nature of disbursements and overall expenses. Legally, you are not obliged to pay anything to biological parents. However, conflicts arising due to insufficient paperwork may need to be settled outside the court. This may claim huge expenses for adoptive parents.
As evident from the above information, the risks involved in domestic adoption are more or less same as in any other adoption. Hence, there is no reason why you shouldn’t consider this option. So, stop living in fear that the biological parents of your child may one day land at your doorstep and reclaim their (rather your) child.
