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Frequently
Asked Questions - Birth Parents
Who
is Swartz Adoption Attorneys and Child Placing Agency, Inc.?
Can
I talk to a counselor?
Can
I talk to anyone with the same experience?
Who
picks the adoptive parents?
What
is the difference between an open and a closed adoption?
Can
I choose a strictly confidential adoption?
Can
I get help financially?
How
much does it cost?
When
does the baby go with the adoptive parents?
What
is a birth plan?
How
will I know that the adoptive parents will take good care of my child?
What
is a home study?
What
is the legal process?
Why
should I choose Swartz Adoption Agency over another agency?
Who is Swartz Adoption Attorneys and Child Placing
Agency, Inc.?
Swartz Adoption Agency (for short) is a licensed, non-profit agency
located in Saginaw, Michigan that conducts domestic and international
adoptions. Swartz Adoption Agency was formed by Christopher Swartz,
a certified adoption attorney with the general practice law firm of
Swartz & Wilson. Mr. Swartz has successfully conducted hundreds of international
and domestic adoptions. Swartz Adoption Agency has social workers on
staff for counseling and conducting home studies.
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Can I talk to a counselor?
Yes, we have social workers on staff who specialize in adoption issues.
You may meet with them as often as you need. There is no cost to you
for this service.
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Can I talk to anyone with the same experience?
Yes, if you wish. We do have a birth mother on staff who would be happy
to listen, share and relate with you. We also have the ability to put
you in contact with birth mothers we have worked with in the past. However,
if you are not comfortable with the idea, you do not have to talk about
it with anyone.
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Who picks the adoptive parents?
If you want, you can. The process that we have found to work the best
is to have you view the portfolios that waiting families have put together
and given to us. You can decide to meet one or more of the families.
If you do not think any of the families feel appropriate, we will obtain
more portfolios for you to view. If you do not wish to choose the adoptive
parents, we have a system for picking waiting families. You can have
as much or as little say as you want in the choice.
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What is the difference between an open and a closed
adoption?
A closed adoption means that the birth parent(s) and adoptive parents
never know each other. Non-identifying information will be given to
adoptive parents in order to assist them in medical situations, but
names and addresses are not exchanged. An open adoption means that the
birth parent(s) and adoptive parents know something about each other.
The degree of openness depends on what you and the adoptive parents
agree upon. It may be one meeting and first names only or it may be
contact after the birth of the baby in whatever amount you decide is
appropriate. The type of adoption is up to you.
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Can I choose a strictly confidential adoption?
Of course you can. We will respect your confidntiality at all times.
If you do not want ANYONE to know about your pregnancy, they will not
know. We understand your feelings and whatever you feel most comfortable
with is what we will provide.
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Can I get help financially?
Yes, for certain expenses. Although it is illegal for anyone to sell
a child, the law does allow you to obtain financial help during the
course of your pregnancy and for 6 weeks following the birth of your
child. This includes medical, legal, travel, and counseling, as well
as, living expenses.
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How much does it cost?
There is no cost to you. The adoptive parents will be responsible for
all fees in connection with the adoption. Such fees may include your
medical, living and counseling expenses.
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When does the baby go with the adoptive parents?
In nearly all domestic adoptions, the baby will go home with the adoptive
parents directly from the hospital.
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What is a birth plan?
A birth plan is created so your wishes can be carried out at the hospital
and after you leave the hospital. The plan will allow us to know such
things as whether you want the adoptive family at the hospital while
you give birth, whether you want physical contact with the baby after
delivery or not and whether you want to name the baby or not.
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How will I know that the adoptive parents will take
good care of my child?
Adoptive parents have to be approved for adoption. They obtain this
approval through a home study. In addition,
they will have a supervisory period of at least 6 months before the
adoption can be finalized. A social worker will visit with them at least
two times after the child is in their home and the social worker will
write a report for the court about the status of the placement. The
social worker will verify that the child is being taken to the doctor,
etc.
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What is a home study?
A home study is a pre-adoptive placement assessment that must be prepared
for every family who wishes to adopt. The study is a thorough investigation
of the adoptive parents. It is prepared so that you know that the people
who adopt your baby are good, honest, caring people who will love and
care for your child unconditionally. We will obtain their criminal history,
medical history, child abuse history and much more. It is required that
this home study be reviewed with you. If identifying information is
not exchanged, we will ensure that you are only provided the appropriate
information.
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What is the legal process?
Once your family has been chosen and the type of adoption you wish for
is in place, we will be in contact with you periodically (Depending
on the type of adoption you choose, you may have contact with us and
or the adoptive parents regularly while waiting for your due date).
You will notify us when you go in to labor. While at the hospital, one
of our staff members will visit you at a convenient time (We will call
first, of course). You will sign paperwork that will allow the adoptive
parents to leave the hospital with the baby. A couple of weeks later,
a court hearing will be scheduled. You will attend this court hearing
with someone from our agency to give your consent to the adoption before
a judge. The birth father may also attend this hearing and give his
consent. However, the birth father may choose to sign off his rights
before court and he does not need to attend. The birth father may not
voluntarily do either of these things and we will then take other measures
to properly serve him. After court, the legal process is over for you.
We will file finalization documents with the court approximately 6 months
after birth.
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Why should I choose Swartz Adoption Agency over
another agency?
We guarantee to give you the utmost individualized, honest and compassionate
service. We have your best interests at heart. We sincerley want to
help you. We will be there with you from the initial inquiry to the
end of the adoption process and longer if you wish.
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Be sure to visit our Happy Families
page to meet some of our happy families.
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