Adopting a child is highly rewarding, but can also be an overwhelming and stressful process. If you’re pursuing domestic or international adoption on Long Island, New York, it’s important to work with an experienced professional who can help you navigate the challenges ahead to forge a path toward adoption success.

Adoption is Controlled by New York State Law

Federal law creates the framework for U.S. adoptions, which states then comply with in an effort to become eligible for federal adoption funds. This means that on a large scale, adoption is largely governed by states. Failure to adhere to established guidelines could result in the delay or denial of your adoption. It’s in your best interest to dive into state laws that are applicable to your case and learn about them and what they might mean for you. An experienced adoption attorney who knows the ins and outs of the law can help you greatly in this process.

Complications Often Arise in Adoptions

Few, if any, Long Island adoption cases go smoothly from start to finish. There are a number of complications and challenges that can arise to either delay your adoption placement or deny it altogether. Many intended parents fear that the birth mother will change her mind and decide to keep the baby, or that physical complications during the pregnancy and birth could arise. Depending on the complication, it may change the status quo enough that either the child is no longer adoptable or the intended parents are no longer suitable for the child’s needs.

These are very real concerns that can occur and if they do, it’s important that you be prepared and have an adequate legal support network. Your adoption attorney can help you draft documentation that helps minimize the risk of complications whenever possible and provides a contingency plan in the event they do. Your lawyer’s job is to think of and prepare for the wide variety of outcomes that could result in an adoption case, so you can focus on what’s most important — welcoming your new child into your family.

Working with an Agency Limits Your Choices

When you work with a formal adoption agency, your choices tend to be more limited than if you were to pursue an independent adoption with the help of a lawyer. An agency typically selects the best match based on predetermined criteria, leaving the birth mother and intended parents with one or possibly two choices that truthfully may not be the best fit at all. When you work with a seasoned adoption attorney, both your family and the birth mother have access to multiple profiles to select from so you can make the decision that feels right for you.

Agency adoptions tend to have a long waitlist, whereas independent adoptions often have shorter wait times before you are matched with a potential child.

An Attorney Can Help Coordinate Critical Paperwork

When the day of birth arrives, the birth mother, her support system, and your family can be thrown into an emotionally and physically stressful experience. While there’s plenty of joy to go around when a new life enters the world, it doesn’t do away with the red tape. Your adoption lawyer can handle working with hospital staff who may not be familiar with adoption laws and procedures, and will also obtain a consent form from the birth mother. They can also help mitigate situations where it appears that the birth mother’s support system is attempting to manipulate her into keeping the child.

The Adoption Attorneys at Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. Can Help

If adopting a child feels like the best next step for your family, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal assistance from an attorney well-versed in adoption law early. Adoption is a serious, costly endeavor with the potential to hit a multitude of snags along the way, making it important to have an excellent support network throughout the adoption process. Additionally, an experienced lawyer can help make the process of adoption more comfortable, personalized, and less alienating for all parties involved.

Hornberger Verbitsky P.C. can help you better understand adoption laws in New York and how they may be applicable to your specific case. We’ll help you determine which options are the best fit for your family, and work with you to secure the best possible match. Contact us today for a free consultation at 631-923-1910.

For more information on Adoption, see our Long Island Adoption Handbook.