March 19, 2024

FAQ’S / Adoption 101

Unplanned Pregnancies.

Over 3 million of the 6.4 million annual pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. Additionally, some reports indicate that nearly two-thirds of all pregnancies, or 2 million, are unwanted.  You may be in a long-term marriage situation or only had a brief encounter with someone, but we know every situation is different. Each pregnancy is unique.  You and your child are not numbers to us because every adoption we handle is handled on a personal level with attention and love.

Almost 70% of unwanted pregnancies are to teens and girls in their twenties.  In most of these pregnancies, little or no prenatal care is sought.  This leads to an increase in risk of preterm babies or low birth weight babies.  We want to make sure you know your options, but we also know protecting the health of the baby will also help protect your health.  Please let us help any questions you have.  We are here to help.

Birth Parent Info.

  • Do I have to go to court?
    No.  You will simply sign documents stating that you understand the adoption is happening and that you agree and consent to it.  We make it so you never have to do anything publicly.  You do not go in front of a judge or go to court at all. Everything is done privately in our office.
  • How much will an adoption cost me?
    Nothing. It is FREE to all birthparents. The adoptive parents will pay all the necessary costs of the adoption.
  • What if I can’t afford to see a doctor while I am pregnant?
    Assistance is available. Through different levels of support, your pregnancy will not cost you anything financially. The government has an interest in making certain you have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Additionally, the law allows the adopting parents to pay any necessary medical expenses.
  • What if the father will not agree to the adoption?
    This is usually not a problem under Arkansas adoption law.  There is a complex legal determination that needs to be made.  If this is a possible issue in your adoption we will have to discuss the facts with one of our attorneys.  Ultimately if you are in a position of considering adoption, it is likely because the father is not involved.  The birth father can’t simply protect and object to the adoption, he must actively try to support the child in some way in order to preserve his rights.