Deciding to adopt a child can be a life-changing experience. It opens the door to forming a family or adds to the one you already have while also helping a child who needs a home. However, going through the adoption process itself can be a bit nerve-racking.
With all of the information out there on the challenges of this process, you can easily feel overwhelmed before you even begin. In Michigan, there are some essential steps to be aware of right from the start. By knowing about the various processes involved in adopting a child, you can have an easier time.
Understanding Adoption Options in Michigan
Adoption is the process through which you can obtain all of the legal rights and responsibilities of a biological parent, and the child you adopt can enjoy the same legal, social, and emotional benefits as any child born into your family. In Michigan, there are several types of adoptions, including:
- Stepparent adoption
- State and court ward adoption
- Private agency ward adoption
- Relative adoption
- Direct placement adoption
- Adult adoption
- Interstate/intercountry adoption
Throughout Michigan, many adoptions occur via the foster care system. The other most common way of adopting a child is through a private adoption, which means that the birth mother chooses the adoptive parents.
Requirements to Adopt a Child in Michigan
You need to meet very few basic qualifications to adopt a child in Michigan. You can adopt if you are:
- An adult
- Anyone who is married to the person with legal custody of the child
- A husband and wife who want to adopt jointly
There are no age requirements beyond being an adult in the state, and you don’t have to be married to be eligible. You will have to go through numerous steps, however, before you’re approved to legally become the child’s parent.
Beginning the Adoption Process in Michigan With an Agency
Whether you’re considering beginning the process or are actively going through it, it can help to know what to expect.
Choose an Agency
The first step in the process of adopting a child is to choose an agency. You’ll need to determine the type of adoption you’re pursuing, whether domestic, international, or foster. This will dictate whether you need to turn to a private licensed or state-contracted agency.
If you’re already fostering the child, then the agency you used to arrange that can be the one that pursues the adoption process. Always verify that the agency you choose is licensed in Michigan, and make sure that they provide comprehensive services, including counseling for birth parents, home study services, and support for the post-placement process.
Ask about the types of fees you can expect and what the timeline could look like. You should get clear answers from the agency.
Some people choose national adoption agencies because they might provide a faster placement, but for the majority of people, a Michigan adoption agency is the better choice. With a Michigan agency, you can get in-person support, which is essential during this emotionally complex process. It’s helpful to begin by considering at least three agencies.
Attend Orientations
Schedule visits with all of the agencies you have chosen to get a better sense of their adoption philosophies and communication styles. You should feel comfortable with the people running the agencies.
These orientations are your chance to get an in-depth look at the entire adoption process. There could be variations from one agency to another, so keep notes to check later.
During each orientation, ask about how many children the agency placed the previous year. Make sure you know the type of help you will receive if you do choose to pursue the adoption with that agency.
Complete an Application
Once you have chosen your agency, you’ll have to complete the application. This application will help the agency get to know you a bit better. It will include information on your background and the child you wish to adopt. Be as honest as you can throughout this process. There are no specific answers the agency is looking for, so it’s always best to stick with honesty.
As you prepare to fill out the application, gather a number of pertinent documents. You will need to demonstrate financial stability, which can be done via pay stubs, bank statements, and a variety of other options.
Every person over 18 in your household will have to go through a comprehensive background check. All adults must pass federal and state fingerprint-based criminal records checks, and they must also clear child neglect and abuse central registry checks.
A history of domestic violence or a conviction for crimes against children, which includes pornography, is a disqualifying complication. If you have this type of background, you will likely not be able to adopt via an agency.
Attend Pre-Adoption Training
All families wishing to adopt a child in Michigan will need to attend pre-adoption training. There are two main types of training programs in the state: the GROW curriculum and the Pressley Ridge curriculum. In the majority of counties, you will participate in the former.
During this type of training, you will learn about child development, trauma, attachment, and what it means to adopt a child. You will also get a chance to meet other families going through the process so you can build a support system.
Complete a Home Study
This is one of the most essential steps of the adoption process. You will need to provide a significant amount of paperwork during this stage. The agency will require the following information:
- Employment and educational records of everyone in the household
- Marital status of everyone in the household
- Ages and nationalities of everyone in the household
- Physical and mental health records of everyone in the household
- Proof of income and property
- Information on any criminal convictions
- Your reason for wanting to adopt
- Background checks
Additionally, you’ll need three references from non-relatives. These must be in writing.
Once all of the paperwork is in place, the adoption home study provider will go to your home. Everyone who lives in the home will need to answer questions about daily routines, what they think about the process of adoption, and a variety of other topics. It’s common for this part of the homestudy to take from two to four hours. These interviews must be done in person.
After the interviews, the provider will conduct a home inspection. They will be looking to ensure that the home is prepared for a child (or an additional child). They’ll look for functioning smoke detectors, check for fencing if you have a pool, and address numerous other safety concerns.
After the inspection and interviews, the provider will send you a report that details how the process went. If you see that all of the information is correct, you can sign off on the report, and the home study process is complete.
This is the longest stage of the Michigan adoption process, so it’s always important to start it as early as you can by gathering documents.
Inquire About Youths to Adopt
If you have been approved for adoption by the provider, you can ask about the children available. For example, if you’re adopting through the foster care system, you could ask about the children listed by the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE). You can make an inquiry into one of the children, and your interest will be shared with the child’s case worker.
All communications will happen between the agencies involved. The child’s case worker has 21 days to respond to an inquiry. They may reach out to your worker to ask more questions about your background and details.
Match With a Child
If you have been matched with the child you inquired about, you will receive further information about them. You will have 21 days to review this additional data. You have the chance to ask questions and address any concerns you may have. Don’t rush through this stage.
Carefully read all additional information. Honestly consider whether the child is a good fit for you and your family.
Meet and Have Pre-Placement Visits
Once all parties have agreed to continue the process, you will need to sign a Consideration to Adopt form. You can then begin visiting the child. This can be done in person, virtually, or both. It’s always better to be there in person, but that may not be an option for everyone.
The visits will gradually increase in length. The settings will change, too, to help you and the child adjust to spending time in a variety of environments. It’s important not to try to rush this process. The child will likely set the pace, and it’s best to follow them, even if it feels like the process is going slowly.
Placement
If the visits continue to go well and everyone involved agrees, the child can move into your home. The agency you have chosen will offer full support for the next six months, which is the required supervisory period in Michigan. Case workers will visit regularly to ensure the child is adjusting and to offer support and stability to you and the child.
They are not there to judge but to help, so be honest about any struggles you may be facing or worries you have. Case workers can also point you to support groups for adoptive parents, where you can get further assistance.
Formal Adoption
After the supervisory period is over, there is typically a court hearing to finalize the adoption. Your case worker is capable of filing the necessary paperwork, but it always helps to have a family law attorney ensure all of the information is correct and the legal aspects of the process have been met. Once that is complete, your child is formally part of your family.
Private Adoption Process in Michigan
A private adoption begins similarly to one done through an agency, but it involves the birth mother of the child choosing the adoptive parents. Once the mother chooses a family or parent and they go through a background check and the home study process, birth parents can sign their consent to the adoption in court in front of a lawyer and a representative from a child-placing agency.
The birth parents will have five days (not counting weekends or holidays) to revoke their consent. If everything moves forward as planned, the court will finalize the adoption. The court has to approve the process, which it can do after reviewing the home study and placement documents.
How Long Does the Adoption Process Take in Michigan?
Typically, the process takes at least a year. The type of adoption you choose can affect the timeline. If you choose to go through a foster care adoption, you can expect it to take up to 18 months, including the six months of supervision.
A private adoption can take a bit longer. It can take anywhere between two and seven years. That’s because the mother has to decide on the adoptive parents.
If you’re flexible about the child’s age, health, and race, the process can go faster because you’ll have more options.
Legal Complexities of Agency and Private Adoptions in Michigan
Agency adoptions tend to be more straightforward than private adoptions because the agencies involved handle a significant amount of the paperwork and legal requirements. You should still have an attorney to make certain that all legalities are addressed properly.
With a private adoption, you’re required to have an attorney. Your attorney will ensure that the biological parents’ consent is valid and that the termination of their rights is handled correctly. This is particularly crucial if one of the birth parents is a minor. Your lawyer will also handle all of the necessary paperwork, including petitions for adoption.
If there are any disputes, your attorney can also intervene. This can help keep the adoption process on track.
Trust Gucciardo Family Law
If you’re considering adopting a child or are going through the process, it may be time to ask for help. At Gucciardo Family Law, our team of attorneys can help you through this vital moment in your life. Contact our team to schedule a consultation with one of our Michigan lawyers.
