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Adoption in Orlando

Orlando Adoption, Home Studies and More

If you’re looking for adoption agencies in Orlando, Lifetime Adoption Agency should be your first call. You will find one of our caring adoption coordinators on the other end of the line. We work closely with birth parents and adoptive parents to make sure they have the support and resources needed to navigate the adoption process.

With over 35 years of experience helping birth mothers connect with loving adoptive families, Lifetime Adoption has become one of the nationwide leaders in open, domestic adoption. And we’re ready to help you. Additionally we provide articles, webinars, home study services, referrals, counseling, one-on-one support, and much more.

Help for Pregnant Women in Orlando

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be stressful. Lifetime Adoption can help you make understand all of your options and find a plan that works for you.

Additionally, your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will help you understand the decisions that you get to make for your baby in open adoptionpregnancy expenses, we can help you with that too. If you choose adoption, you can receive help with food, rent, transportation, clothes, phone, and more. Talk to your coordinator about what you may need, and she will provide help in any way she can!

You may find that you have a toddler, sibling set, or special needs child that you feel adoption would be the right choice for. Lifetime Adoption can help. We will match you with an adoptive family that is open to adopting sibling sets, toddlers, and special needs children.

The first call can be the hardest to make when considering adoption. It can be very emotional. However, our caring adoption coordinators will make sure your needs are met, and they will help you every step of the way. You can be sure that any question you ask will be answered without judgment and with honesty. Call or text about our Florida adoption services in Orlando at 1-800-923-6784.

Adoption Agencies in Orlando

Lifetime Adoption Agency is here to help you place your child for adoption. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There will be an adoption coordinator available to explain the adoption process and get you started.

At Lifetime Adoption, we provide you with:

A variety of adoptive parents that all have had background checks and a home study completed.
Continued support after delivery
24-hour help and support
Peer and Professional Counseling available
Help with pregnancy-related expenses
Maternity clothes, toiletries, and other essential items you might need
And much more!

Adoption Counseling in Orlando

Your adoption coordinator can also give you access to a peer or professional counselor. The decision to place your child for adoption can be difficult. Speaking with a professional counselor can help you work through the decision-making process and also help you work through the emotions that come up during your adoption journey.

Peer counseling through Lifetime is very popular among our birth mothers. Being able to connect with another woman who has experienced placing a child for adoption can be very helpful. She can answer your questions and share what the experience was like for her. She may have a different story, but she will understand your emotions and can answer any questions you have. For example, you may want to know how she dealt with the birth father, how she told her family, how she chose a family, or any other adoption topic that concerns you. She can share how she handled those situations and the emotions that come along with the adoption process.

Maternity Hospitals in Orlando

Anxiety is one of the emotions many women have at the thought of delivery time. Being prepared is the best way to help ease that nervousness. Creating a hospital plan is one of the things your adoption coordinator will help you with. They know just the questions to ask, such as:

Would you like the adoptive parents at the hospital?
At the birth, who would you like to be in the room?
Would you like to hold your baby or feed your baby?
Would you like the baby to leave the hospital first, or would you like to?

Your coordinator will work with you, the adoptive parents, and the hospital to make sure that everything goes as you would like at the delivery time.

If you are in Orlando, the hospitals with labor and delivery services are:

AdventHealth Orlando

Orlando Regional Medical Center

Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies

Wherever you give birth, we can work with you. We have even helped women who were traveling out of state when they went into labor and those who gave birth at home.

The Orlando Adoption Process

So what is your first step? First, you will call or text Lifetime Adoption or go online to fill out the contact form. Next, an adoption coordinator will contact you and guide you through the steps of the adoption process. She will explain what adoption services are available and will answer all your questions. She will also talk with you about any needs or concerns that you have. A non-judgmental, caring coordinator will always be available on the line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Choosing An Adoptive Family

You can view online profiles of our adoptive families and learn as much about them as possible. The adoptive families have created website profiles, and many have provided video messages so you can get to know who they are. To begin, use our Search for Families tool and search by things that are important to you in an adoptive family. This will help you choose the perfect family for your baby.

If you would like a family from Florida, you can make that choice, or you can choose a family from a different state. Your coordinator will then help you connect with them and build a relationship that you are comfortable with.

If there are any resources in Orlando that you are in need of, your adoption coordinator will help you connect with them. Whether it is a doctor for prenatal care or a way to get there, your coordinator will make it happen.

Are you ready to start? Give us a call or text today.

Get In Touch

Other Paths to Adoption in Orlando

Foster care is an option for some birth parents. They may be unsure if they can parent or not. Sometimes, if a baby is born with substance exposure, the Orange County Department of Children’s Services may place them in foster care. Unfortunately, in this case, you will not have a say in where your baby is placed. You will also not have a choice of open adoption, so you may not be able to have ongoing contact.

Relative or kinship adoption may also be an option. If one of your family members, who are generally blood-related to the child, would like to, they can apply to adopt. This may be a good solution, but it can also have some challenges. Sometimes the relative may think they are just stepping in for a time, or there could be boundaries and interaction issues that will need to be worked through.

Which kind of adoption works for you and your child is entirely up to you. All of your options will be explained to you by your adoption coordinator.

Adopting a Child in Orlando

Would you like to adopt a baby in Orlando, Florida? One of the biggest, life-changing decisions you can make is one of adoption. The adoption coordinators at Lifetime Adoption are here to guide you through this exciting time. They understand your adoption dreams and are here to help them come true. All of your questions will be answered, and they will explain the whole adoption process in detail. Lifetime Adoption in Orlando focuses on open domestic adoption. Start your adoption journey today!

Creating an adoption story that is best for everyone in the adoption triad is what Lifetime Adoption is committed to. If you are interested in adopting a newborn or child up to the age of six in Orlando, contact us at 321-236-6025 to ask any questions. There is a free online adoption application on our website as well as many other resources.

Providing you with all the education, resources, referrals, and support needed for a successful adoption journey is what Lifetime Adoption is dedicated to.

Begin the Adoption Process

Now that you have all this information, your next question probably is, “How do we get started?” The good news is it is easy. Just fill out our online application. You are not obligated in any way, and applying is free.

Lifetime will review your information, and once pre-approved, an adoption coordinator will contact you to answer any questions you have. She will explain the entire Orlando adoption process and will create an adoption plan unique to you.

Adoption Attorneys in Orlando

Even when working with an adoption agency in Orlando, you will need to retain an adoption attorney. Laws can be complex in the adoption world, and it is extremely important that all is done properly. All paperwork must be completed correctly and then must be filed with the courts. If you are working with Lifetime Adoption in Orlando, your coordinator will be happy to refer an adoption attorney in the area.

Home Study Services in Orlando

Whichever type of adoption you choose, domestic or foster adoption, you will need to complete a home study. Home study services are available for adoptive families in the Orlando area. Whether you are using Lifetime Adoption for your adoption needs or not, we can provide home study services. If you have located a birth parent on your own or another agency, we are here to provide affordable home study services. You can get started by filling out our free application for home study services for prospective adoptive families living in Florida.

Included in your home study are employment and financial verification, background checks, a home visit, and mandatory education hours. Completing your home study in a timely manner is essential. Your adoption coordinator will guide you through the process.

What do you need to do to complete the home study? Collecting all of your documents is not the most exciting part of your adoption journey, but it is very important. In Orlando, Florida, you will need to round up the following documents:

Five written references from co-workers, personal friends, perhaps fellow church members or anyone that knows you well and can attest to your readiness to be an adoptive parent.
Financial Statements such as tax returns, profit and loss statements, or paystubs
Health statements from a medical professional that attests to your mental and physical well-being
Background checks – everyone over the age of 12 in the home will need a local, state, and federal background check. This will include neglect and abuse history checks.
Autobiographical letters that explain why you are adopting and what your beliefs are regarding marriage, parenting, and any other hopes and dreams

A home visit will also be a part of your home study. Your home study social worker will interview every adult in the home and gather information on your home environment. The home visit is conducted to verify that you have a safe and adequate place to raise a child. The social worker will also want to get to know your feelings and views on family, marriage, and parenting.

In addition to a home study, education is required to complete your adoption. You can access articles, classes, webinars, and podcasts through Lifetime Adoption. You will need to complete at least 12 hours of education to satisfy the state requirement in Florida.
The home study will include background checks, employment and financial verification, education hours, and a home visit. Your Lifetime coordinator will work with you to complete your home study in a timely manner.

What can you expect from the home study process? First, you will collect your documents. In Florida, you will need to gather the following documents:

Financial Statements such as tax returns and paystubs
Background checks – local, state, and federal for everyone in the home over the age of 12 to include abuse and neglect history checks.
Health statements from your medical professional attesting to your physical and mental well-being
Five written references from personal friends, co-workers, fellow church members or anyone that knows you well and will vouch for your ability to be an adoptive parent.
Autobiographical letters written explaining what brought you to adoption, what your goals are, your beliefs for raising a child, etc.

In addition, you will set up a time for a home visit. During this visit, your home study social worker will gather the information on your home environment and interview every adult in the home. The purpose of the home visit is to verify you have an adequate and safe place to raise a child and to get to know you and your feelings on family, marriage, and parenting.

Education is also a requirement to complete your adoption. Your home study provider will assist you in accessing the articles, webinars, classes, and podcasts you need to complete to satisfy the 12 hours of education required in the state of Florida.

Finalization of Adoption in Court

There is one final step after you have completed your home study, been matched with a birth mother, and your baby has arrived. The finalization of your adoption in the courts.

According to Florida mandates, the finalization of adoption will be no less than 90 days from when you take custody of the baby. The finalization will involve a home visit within one week of the placement from your home study social worker. After that, you will meet with your social worker once a month until you have had a total of three visits.

All the necessary paperwork will be filed with the courthouse by your adoption attorney. A hearing date will then be set. In Orlando, that will be at the Ninth Judicial Court of Florida at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801. The judge will review all of your documents and the home study. Next, the final decree of adoption will be issued. You can now have a proper celebration because your adoption will now be final.

Other Paths to Adoption

Orlando International Adoption Agencies

International adoption is one path to adoption that some couples choose. They may see stories on the news of orphans in struggling countries and want to help. Take the time to consult with an adoption agency that specializes in international adoption. Each country has its own requirements and laws to follow. If the political climate is not stable, this can lead to issues with the adoption so do your research.

Some of the more popular countries for international adoption are nations in Africa, China, and Eastern European countries. Be sure to choose an agency that is able to work in the country you have chosen. Some agencies that specialize in international adoption are:

Adopt International

Celebrate Children International

Foster Care Adoption

The foster care system is another path to adoption. Working with the Florida Department of Children and Families, you can go through the process to qualify as a foster family:

Complete the required foster parent education. Have fingerprint-based, criminal background check to confirm no history of child abuse or neglect.
Attend a foster parent orientation.
Complete a home study to certify your ability to foster in your home.

AdoptUSKids is another way to adopt through the foster care system. You can view waiting children from Florida and other states. This nationwide project shows available children and children waiting for adoption. Families must be ready with a completed home study and any other requirements in their state.

Foster care adoption often involves older children and children with special needs. The cost to adopt is usually cheaper, and the time it takes to adopt is generally shorter than newborn, domestic adoption or international adoption.

Mardie Caldwell

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