Adoption in New York

Lifetime Adoption coordinators have been helping expectant mothers in New York through the adoption process for over 30 years. Just call, text, or fill out our online form. A coordinator will work with you to find out what type of family you are looking for and what resources and support you are in need of.

Next, your coordinator will send you some profiles, and you can look through adoptive family profiles online and choose a family for your child. You can choose a family from New York or from another state. You can decide how much contact you would like with the family you choose while you are pregnant. If you are placing a toddler or older child for adoption, a professional counselor will be involved in creating a plan to make the transition healthy for everyone involved in the adoption.

Your adoption coordinator is happy to help make a hospital plan if you are pregnant. Your plan will include: who will be in the delivery room with you, who will hold the baby first, who will cut the cord, and other details. At no cost to you, you will have your own attorney who will ensure sure you understand your rights and will make sure all laws are followed. An adoption agency in New York will help the adoptive family as well and make sure they are aware of your wishes.

Rebecca called Lifetime, and she wanted to place her baby for adoption. She was still in high school, and when her parents found out she was pregnant, they kicked her out. She now had no idea how to pay for rent and food. In the state of New York, pregnancy-related expenses can be covered by the adopting parents. The expenses include:

• Temporary living expenses such as rent of the mother during pregnancy
• Maternity-related medical and hospital costs
• Counseling fees
• Attorney and any legal fees and guardian ad litem fees
• Travel costs for court appearances or accessing medical services, meals, and lodging when necessary

Another resource that is available at no cost to you is professional and peer counselors. You can consult with a professional counselor to help you navigate the decision-making process, understand your emotions, and help you plan for the future. In addition, peer counselors are available to share their stories and give advice to help you along your adoption journey.

In New York, Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACAs) are a meaningful way to preserve connections between birth families and adoptive families when it supports the child’s emotional well-being. These agreements are centered around the child’s best interests and can include various types of communication such as letters, emails, phone calls, or in-person visits—whatever is thoughtfully agreed upon by everyone involved.

New York law allows for legally enforceable PACAs under New York Domestic Relations Law § 112-b. This statute permits birth parents and adoptive parents to enter into a written agreement for ongoing contact, as long as the court finds the arrangement to be in the best interest of the child. The agreement must be included in the adoption order to be enforceable. If circumstances change and someone involved believes the agreement is no longer working, the court may review and modify it—but the legal status of the adoption remains unaffected.

At Lifetime Adoption, we strongly support the importance of open adoption and the role PACAs can play in keeping birth families lovingly involved in their child’s life. We take time to ensure that expectant mothers have the opportunity to express their hopes for future contact, which are documented in our Post-Adoption Contact Agreement. Our adoptive families are well-prepared to honor these commitments with consistency, trust, and deep respect for the birth family. At Lifetime, we believe these relationships help a child grow up feeling secure, connected, and surrounded by love.