It seems that most people interested in adoption know something about a time period wherein the biological parent(s) may “change their mind.”  This is called the revocation period, the window of time in which a biological parent consenting to the adoption and voluntarily terminating their own parental rights may revoke that consent.

Under Arkansas law, it has long been a period of 10 days.  However, there is now an option under the law.  The biological parents can waive the 10 day revocation period and select a shorter 5 day period only.

So, for purposes of an adoption under Arkansas law, the time period will begin either (1) at the time the consent was signed, (2) or at the time of the birth of the child – whichever is later.  If your biological parent signs when the mother is only 6 or 7 months pregnant, the revocation period will begin at birth.  If the baby is already a few weeks, months, or years old, then the revocation period begins at the time of the signing.

This has been a tremendous help for out of state couples adopting in Arkansas.  A final hearing cannot be had on the matter until the revocation period has expired.  This often has forced our adopting couples to remain in the State of Arkansas for at least 11 days, but usually longer.  Now it is possible that a 6 day stay is all that is required.

Please call or write if you have any questions about your adoption or adoptions in general.

Thank you.

This a very good question, and unfortunately a question we get too often.  It is unfortunate because it has long been possible for a single adult to adopt another person.  It is good public policy.  Somehow the misconception has been planted out in the world that says you must be married.  This is not the case at all.  In fact, one of the fastest growing segments of the adopting world are single grandparents adopting their grandchildren.

Amendment One was recently found unconstitutional by the Arkansas Supreme Court.  That law did require an adopting couple to be legally married.  However, it at no point jeopardized the ability of a single person to adopt.

If you have any questions about adopting please call or write for free information.

Shane A. Henry

Many couples looking to adopt quickly realize there are several different expense categories, and they also learn that a homestudy may be necessary in order to legally complete the adoption pursuant to Arkansas adoption law.

If you are related within 2 degrees of blood then the court can waive the homestudy requirement.  Parents, sibling, and children are all within 1 level or degree of blood under Arkansas adoption law.  The next level includes grandparents, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.   If you person you are seeking to adopt is not within any of those categories in relation to you, then you must have a homestudy.

Homestudies are expensive.  The typical range is $1,000.00 – $2,000.00.  However, if the cost of the homestudy is detrimental to your ability to pursue an adoption, or if you need flexible payment options, our Arkansas adoption network gives us access to many qualified licensed social workers who are pleased to accommodate you in that area.

The homestudy will include background and child maltreatment checks on the petitioners (those persons seeking to adopt), at least 1 visit to your home, and a general analysis of who you are individually that includes social habits, childhood, work, and relationship details.  The homestudy is a very confidential document and it will be sealed up with the rest of the adoption case.  Most likely, your attorney and the Judge on the case are the only people in the world who will actually see the report.

Shane A. Henry