When a couple or single person is in the position to welcome a child who is not biologically related into the family, it is a joyous occasion. Those Connecticut residents who choose adoption may wish to speak with an attorney experienced in family law before formally entering the adoption process since having some knowledge of the law can ease any stress that may accompany it. Those wishing to adopt a child in Connecticut must make the decision regarding what kind of adoption they would like to pursue: domestic or international adoption; whether they want a newborn child or an older child; or whether they want an open or closed adoption.
Before an adoption is complete, prospective adoptive parents in Connecticut must meet certain standards. They must complete a home study course that assesses their preparedness to adopt; they must complete an Adoption Planning Questionnaire and complete an Adoptive Family Profile, which tells pregnant women who will be placing their babies for adoption about available families. These days, most adoptions are open, meaning the adoptive parents and biological mothers (and sometimes fathers) meet each other or at least communicate with each other.
In some instances, adoptive parents maintain lifelong relationships with the biological mother and/or biological family. Once the child is in his or her adoptive home, parents will go through a finalization hearing in which a judge will grant the adoptive parents parental rights. The parents will receive a new birth certificate for the child.
There are many steps to complete before the adoption of a child is complete. A Connecticut resident should involve a family law attorney at every point. A lawyer will prepare all the paperwork needed for the adoption process.