Adoption

 What is an Adoption? 

An adoption is a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents (including the right to inherit). It is the legal act of permanently placing a child with a parent or parents other than the birth parents. Adoption results in the severing of the parental responsibilities and rights of the biological parents and the placing of those responsibilities and rights onto the adoptive parents. After the finalization of an adoption, there is no legal difference between biological and adopted children.

Why to Adopt? By adopting a child you can reach out to a human being who desperately needs your help and love; an adoption is a magnificent way to change a child's life and your future. There are numerous factors to consider when thinking about adoption. The best way to ensure a successful adoption is to choose an experienced, reliable adoption agency and a good lawyer. As a general rule, any adult who is considered a "fit parent" may adopt a child. Some states have special requirements for adoptive parents, which must be a certain number of years older than the child. In others, adoptive parents must be state residents for a specified length of time before they are allowed to adopt. If you're adopting through an agency, you may also have to meet additional agency requirements, which are often stricter than state laws. Since 1971, U.S. citizens have adopted more than 265,000 children internationally.