For most prospective parents or hopeful adoptive families in Kansas, the waiting process can create anticipation and impatience. Prior to beginning the process and before you file for adoption, it is helpful to understand the timeline so you can realistically manage your expectations. There are a variety of types of adoption, and each can have its own timeline. Speaking with a qualified Kansas Adoption Attorney or adequately performing your due diligence can equip you with the knowledge you need to prepare yourself and your family. Whether you wish to proceed with a domestic or international adoption, you will be able to streamline the process and move things along smoothly the more aware you are of the steps and requirements involved.
Domestic Adoption Timeline
Domestic adoptions are achieved within the United States and consist of a family or individual adopting an American child from within one of the states. The domestic adoption process is unpredictable in its timeline considering the variety of factors involved. A family may wait several weeks while another family could wait up to a year to receive a child after they have entered into an adoption program.
The key is ensuring you have filed all necessary paperwork, completed any required training, performed a successful home study and submitted to the applicable background checks. Delays may occur if there is a holdup on any of these specific steps or paperwork is returned for errors or any incompletions. Most families can expect to wait for 4-6 moths from their initial inquiry to the final completion stages of adoption. This estimated timeframe is also dependent on the prospective parents’ specifications in regard to child’s age, ethnicity, background, parents, and other factors that can create a longer wait period in order to be satisfied.
International Adoption Timeline
International adoption typically takes a longer amount of time to complete in comparison to domestic adoptions. Again, a variety of factors can determine how long a completed adoption will take and being diligent about paperwork and remaining compliant with required steps will assist you in speeding up the timeline. An adoptive family who wishes to find a child abroad can expect to complete the adoption process within a year or so. Depending on the birthplace country of the child you wish to adopt, a waiting period can be significantly lengthened based on the popularity of that state and the associated estimated wait period. The adoptive agency in the country of your desire will be able to provide more information on the availability and demand their country’s children are currently experiencing to help you gauge an appropriate wait period.
An Experienced Kansas Adoption Attorney Can Help With the Adoption Process
With decades of experience, Kansas Adoption Attorney Tom McDowell understands the questions that arise when approaching or undergoing the adoption process in Kansas. Contact McDowell Chartered Legal Services today at (316) 633-4322 to see how we can develop an adoption plan that best suits you and your family’s needs.