.....WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF USING AdoptLink VERSUS NETWORKING MYSELF?

.....HOW DO I KNOW YOU ARE A REPUTABLE FACILITATOR and WHO ARE YOUR REFERENCES?

.....HOW MANY ADOPTIONS HAS AdoptLink BEEN INVOLVED WITH?

.....CAN WE SPECIFY THE SEX OF THE CHILD WE WANT TO ADOPT?

.....WHAT KIND OF ADOPTION SITUATIONS DO YOU PRESENT?

.....WHO COLLECTS BACKGROUND AND MEDICAL INFORMATION ON THE BIRTHMOTHER?

.....HOW MUCH WILL THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS COST?

.....IF OUR ADOPTION FAILS, DO WE LOSE ALL OF OUR MONEY?

.....HOW LONG DOES THE BIRTHMOTHER HAVE TO CHANGE HER MIND?

.....DO I NEED TO HIRE AN ADOPTION ATTORNEY AND/OR AN ADOPTION AGENCY?

.....DO BIRTHPARENTS WANT AN "OPEN" ADOPTION?

.....HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

.....WHO DOES AdoptLink ACCEPT AS CLIENTS?

.....IS AdoptLink INVOLVED WITH BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC ADOPTION?

.....CAN PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT USA RESIDENTS OR CITIZENS ADOPT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?

.....WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF USING AdoptLink VERSUS NETWORKING MYSELF?

First, is the access to a major viable resource of adoption situations. The existing AdoptLink networking system currently enjoys professional relationships with qualified adoption professionals throughout the United States, who have potential birthparent access. 

Anytime these professionals, primarily private licensed adoption agencies and AAAA adoption attorneys, are working with a qualified adoption situation for which they do not have an appropriate client base of prospective adoptive parents (PAPs), they may ask AdoptLink network the situation and to provide a particular "type" of family - perhaps YOU! For instance, perhaps a pregnant birthmother in Iowa with a Caucasian baby desires PAPs who live in Northern California, Unitarian, age 35-40, no children, one stay-at-home parent, willing to share photos and letters. It's not likely that her adoption professional can automatically meet her request.

AdoptLink will link interested PAPs to potential birthparents who have already been evaluated by adoption professionals such as attorneys, agencies, therapists, etc. Information collected by these professionals, including assessment of level of commitment, medical, pregnancy, and social background, legal risk, financial requirements, birthfather status, etc. will all be known and available for PAPs up front. No guess work, no scrambling for information, no pressure to commit on the spot, fewer dead ends.

Most PAPs network by contacting friends, relatives, co-workers, and by sending enormous unsolicited mailings, using purchased mailing labels, to a variety of doctors, clinics, etc. placing their own ads, or joining advertising pools. Keep in mind that most PAPs are probably buying the same mailing label lists, thus, this flooding this avenue. Additionally, most of the individuals on the mailing lists do not have significant access to birthmothers to make your investment and effort worthwhile.

Placing ads is a very popular method of searching for domestic adoption situations. Choosing the "right" state and publication to run your ads can be s like playing spin the bottle - you just take your chances. Not only is it very time-consuming to place ads, but you must also screen incoming calls. Most PAPs aren't available 24-hours a day at the phone receiving responses. Furthermore, most don't want to screen calls because they don't have the appropriate expertise, and are often too personally involved to be objective.

Second, is the cost component. Mass distribution of your profile letter or brochure with color photos can cost upward of $3.00 for each mailing, including the cost of printing your materials, envelopes, postage, mailing labels, not to mention the dollar value of your time to complete this effort. Most adoption professionals advise their clients to distribute at least 5000 letters, which is an approximate minimum cost of $15,000.00! Likewise, running ads can be an expensive venture. One ad in a major national newspaper or magazine circulation may cost $400.00 or more for publication for one week or month. When it's over, it's over, whether you have any responses or not!

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.....HOW DO I KNOW YOU ARE A REPUTABLE FACILITATOR and WHO ARE YOUR REFERENCES?

Since 1989, I have worked with some of the largest and most well-known adoption agencies and adoption attorneys in the United States. I provided adoption facilitation services under my previous company name of "Adoption Connection of California". In July, 1997, I gave my company a face-lift with a new name - AdoptLink - and expanded my services to a nationwide level, including Internet access and exposure.

You are encouraged you to speak with clients regarding their experiences.  I am confident that the client and professional references will speak highly of the quality of service I provide.
See About Lil Snee.

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.....HOW MANY ADOPTIONS HAS AdoptLink BEEN INVOLVED WITH?

I personally have been involved in facilitating hundreds of successful adoptions during the course of my affiliations with various adoption professionals since 1989. Since July, 1997, I have presented numerous attractive adoption situations to AdoptLink clients and on the AdoptLink web site. Click here for a history of adoption situations presented over the past several years. I publish an average of 10 new situations every month.

As adoption professionals throughout the country absorb the concept and success of the service AdoptLink provides, I anticipate that there will be many more identified existing adoption situations in need of PAPs

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.....CAN WE SPECIFY THE SEX OF THE CHILD WE WANT TO ADOPT?

Yes, you can declare a gender preference.

However, there is no guarantee that a child will be born a particular sex, unless determined by amniocentesis, which is considered an invasive surgical procedure, and never performed merely for gender determination.

Ultrasound impressions are not definitive.

When the gender of an unborn child is unknown, and adoptive parents are interested in only a boy, or only a girl, they may ask the birthmother if she is willing to undergo an ultrasound at their expense.

PAPs must understand that ultrasound is a diagnostic tool by which the technician and/or physician might offer to state the suspected gender of the child.  However, there is no guarantee concerning the declaration of gender.  There is a margin of error in gender determination by ultrasound due to fetal anatomy and/or experience of the technician and/or physician interpreting the ultrasound.

The difficulties that might occur if the child is a different gender than expected at birth can be monumental for everyone involved.

For example:  You want a girl only. Gender determination by ultrasound is stated to be a girl.  You and birthmother eagerly pursue an adoption plan together.  Baby is born a boy.  You don't accept the child because you want a girl only.  Birthmother is devastated and has to select a different adoptive family - almost on the spot -  without benefit of time to get to know them.  For this reason, a potential  birthmother will not likely select a family who proclaims, "We will only accept a girl, nothing else".

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.....WHAT KIND OF ADOPTION SITUATIONS DO YOU PRESENT?

Every variety available by referring professionals! AdoptLink will present birthparents and children from all avenues of racial, ethnic, social, economic, professional, educational, and religious backgrounds, pregnant birthmothers, newborn children, children of all ages, healthy children, children with medical and physical impairments, children born drug-exposed, special needs, etc.

Like all people, birthparents and their children come from diverse avenues. They contact adoption professionals anywhere from two weeks into the pregnancy to anytime after the birth. Therefore, it would not be fair to stereotype potential birthparents and their children into a general category or description. Every individual person and situation must be considered and respected as an entity, without preconceived notions.

Carrying a child for nine months and then entrusting the baby to PAPs is a tremendously important decision. In order for a woman to plan this and follow-though with her commitment, she must have some very motivating factors. Some examples of motivating factors can include, but are not limited to, a strong conviction that her child must have a two-parent traditional family, her financial inability to raise a child, or perhaps she simply is not ready to be a parent, or does not desire to parent a child.

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.....WHO COLLECTS BACKGROUND AND MEDICAL INFORMATION?

The adoption professional assisting the birthparent/s will collect information including but not limited to name, age, race/ethnicity, American Indian heritage, address, phone, due date, marital status, who and where is the birthfather, does he know about her pregnancy/adoption decision, is he agreeable, reason for choosing adoption, physical description of both birthparents, do family and friends support the adoption decision, medical insurance, public assistance, means of support, education, job skills, interests, prenatal care, sex of child, drug, alcohol, cigarette use, HIV and general personal and familial medical/psychological/social history, willingness to undergo drug/HIV testing and other tests requested by the adoptive parents, what characteristics she desires in an adoptive family such as age, race, religion, other children, occupation, stay-at-home mom, willingness to select a single, gay, or lesbian parent, etc.

Additionally, adoption professionals routinely ask the potential birthmother to provide a written verification of her pregnancy before presenting adoptive parents to her. PAPs are strongly cautioned not to provide financial assistance to any potential birthmother until pregnancy is verified, and upon advise from their adoption attorney and/or adoption agency.

Additionally, the adoption professional presenting the situation typically asks the birthmother to complete a comprehensive social, medical, general background information questionnaire, including information about the birthfather. She is asked to sign an authorization for any medical professional to release all pregnancy-related medical information to the adoptive parents. She will likely be asked to also provide a copy of her social security card and a driver's license or other identification, and to provide a color photograph of herself, other children, and of the birthfather if available. When PAPs and a particular birthmother are considering each other, all written information concerning her and her situation can be requested by the PAPs.

AdoptLink and the referring adoption professionals may obtain information from the birthmother concerning, but not limited to, medical and social history, and use of drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol before and during pregnancy, and identity, medical and social history, and whereabouts of alleged, legal, and presumed birthfather/s. AdoptLink does not perform investigative services and cannot corroborate the veracity of any information received.

Ask your legal representative to review all the available information concerning your birthmother/birthfather situation , and to inform you of legal rights and risks.

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.....HOW MUCH WILL THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS COST US?

The cost of a completed adoption can vary depending on the adoption agency and legal fees involved, facilitation and counseling fees, the financial assistance for the birthmother, and where you and the birthmother reside. Some states allow the adoptive family to assist the birthmother with pregnancy-related expenses. These expenses might include rent, food, utilities, medical, counseling, transportation, and maternity clothing. Most birthmothers who contact adoption professionals have some form of medical insurance, or have or are eligible for public assistance. The estimated average contribution toward birthmother expenses (when allowed) is ranges from $0 - $15,000.00 approximately . The current national average cost of domestic adoption ranges from $20,000 to $45,000.00. 

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.....IF OUR ADOPTION FAILS, DO WE LOSE ALL OF OUR MONEY?

I highly recommend that clients purchase  AdoptionAssurance, insurance for adoptions, whenever providing financial assistance to a birthmother. The policy will reimburse the insured for eligible expenses when a birthparent terminates the adoption plan.  This insurance policy is currently available in CA, FL, HI, LA, NJ, NY, PA and TX, and  can be obtained online through the adoptionassurance.com website. Contact Art Adams, CPCU, at 800-966-9304 or arta@heffgroup.com.

PAPs have no legal recourse to be reimbursed any amount money from the birthmother if she withdraws from an adoption plan. The adoption insurance may be your only opportunity for financial recovery.

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.....HOW LONG DOES THE BIRTHMOTHER HAVE TO CHANGE HER MIND AFTER WE HAVE THE CHILD?

This varies from state to state. With agency adoption in many states, including California, an irrevocable relinquishment of parental rights may be obtained anytime after the birthmother leaves the birthing facility, thus shortening your risk factor for a reclaim of a child in your home and family.

Some states allow a period to revoke the relinquishment. In California, the agency method provides you with more security against a reclaim situation, and is recommended over the independent adoption process. The California independent adoption process allows the "placing birthparen/" 30 days to reclaim her/his/their child after signing the consent, called the Adoption Placement Agreement (APA), which is revocable until the 30th day, unless a Waiver to the Right to Revoke Consent is signed..

In some states, there is no difference regarding the process in which a birthmother signs her consent to adoption in an independent or agency adoption. In many states, when the consent can be signed, before whom, revocability periods, legal burden to seek to withdraw a signed consent, is identical regarding independent and agency adoption.

You should contact adoption attorneys and private licensed adoption agencies in your state before you make a decision on whether to use the identified agency method or independent method.

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.....DO I NEED TO HIRE AN ADOPTION ATTORNEY AND/OR AN ADOPTION AGENCY?

Services by an adoption attorney are usually essential for both agency adoptions and independent adoptions. You must seek the legal advice and services of a competent adoption attorney, in your state, and/or the state where the birthparents reside in order to assure that you will be able to legally adopt the child you locate. Involve the attorney and/or adoption agency immediately upon your desire to enter into an adoption plan with any birthmother. It is not advisable for any adoptive parent to provide any financial assistance to any birthmother without the guidance of a qualified attorney and/or adoption agency.

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.....DO BIRTHPARENTS WANT AN "OPEN" ADOPTION?

The majority of birthmothers who contact adoption professionals prefer what is considered an "open" adoption. This means that the birthmother and the PAPs have exchanged identifying information about each other, hopefully have spoken to each other, and have possibly met each other.

The type of ongoing contact after the adoption, if any, is a decision made strictly between the birthmother and the PAPs. Arrangements for ongoing communication, such as sharing photos and letters, or engaging in telephone or personal visits, can vary from structured to casual, or there may no continuing communication at all. These personal arrangements are generally not legally enforceable. Your adoption attorney and/or adoption agency should advise you concerning this aspect of your adoption planning.

There are, however, many birthmothers who prefer traditional closed adoptions, or who will consider receiving limited identifying information about the PAPs, and agree to limited or no continuing communication after the adoption.

AdoptLink considers everyone's desires concerning adoption during the interviewing and referral process.

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.....HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

The anticipated that the average time for PAPs to enter into an adoption plan with a birthmother varies. Some PAPs may have an adoption plan commitment with a birthmother within days of retaining AdoptLink, depending on their desirability to a birthparent and the desires of the PAPs. Other PAPs receive a child already born into their home within days, while some families may wait several months.

PAPs who are flexible regarding race and gender of the child will wait a much shorter period of time than a family who stipulates a specific race, gender, birth location, or expenses to be paid to the birthmother. The length of time truly depends upon the flexibility of the PAPs , as well as the birthmother who selects them.

AdoptLink does not guarantee that any client will be selected by a birthmother, or that an adoption will be successfully completed.

It is important that PAPs carry a cell phone. There are times when situations develop quickly (baby just born) and we must respond immediately. When this happens, it is imperative that PAPs be accessible. If clients cannot be reached, opportunities could be lost.

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.....IS AdoptLink INVOLVED WITH BOTH INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION AND DOMESTIC ADOPTION?

While AdoptLink assists PAPs throughout the world to adopt in the USA, all children to be adopted are in the USA.  

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.....WHO DOES AdoptLink ACCEPT AS CLIENTS?

AdoptLink is ready to assist PAPs who reside anywhere in the world. AdoptLink, is available to PAPs of all races, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, traditional and alternative lifestyles, gay and lesbian families, married couples, single parents, etc.. It is not the responsibility of AdoptLink to approve PAPs for adoption. This is the function of a private or public adoption agency, licensed social worker, etc., licensed to perform this task.

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.....CAN PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT USA RESIDENTS OR CITIZENS ADOPT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?

Yes. However, there are some limitations concerning where they may adopt.

Anyone from any country or state can adopt a child in the state the child resides in, if that state permits a Petition for Adoption to be filed by a non-resident. The entire adoption process, including finalization will occur in that state as well.

Click here to view a chart showing states that permit nonresidents to petition for adoption and finalize the adoption, and allow the petitioner to retain the services of an adoption facilitator.

PAPs who are not residents of the United States must obtain the equivalent of an American homestudy and comply with the laws of their country or state governing adoption within the United States. 

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