FLORIDA ADOPTION AGENCY — COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ADOPTION IN FLORIDA — HEART TO HEART ADOPTIONS
Common Questions About Adoption in Florida — Answered
The questions Florida women actually ask. Sometimes these are questions asked at midnight or at 2 in the morning when you really need answers from someone who is knowledgeable and will honestly answer.
The first thing you should know is that adoption in Florida is free for birth mothers. No one should ask you for money at any time.
You choose the family who will raise your baby. You also have the right to decide how much contact you want to have with the family and with your baby after the placement. also, recognize that you can change your mind about adoption right up until consent is signed. And the amount of contact you have, that deicison can change over the years.
Florida law provides protect for you. We will help you find an attorney that will ensure that you understand your protects.
Questions about the adoption decision
Am I a bad mother if I consider adoption?
No. Adoption is one of the most loving decisions a mother can make. It requires recognizing what your child needs and making a plan to give it to them. Many women who place a baby for adoption also parent other children. Adoption is not abandoning a child. Adoption is a plan made out of love.
What if my family thinks I should keep my baby?
If you have a loving family who is concerned about you, then it is hard when they disagree with what you are trying to do. However, this decision belongs to you. Take into consideration every side, but trust yourself.
What if I am not sure adoption is right for me?
Looking at both sides and being uncertain about what should really happen is a normal decision making process. You do not have to be sure to call. Many women work with Heart to Heart Adoptions for weeks or months before making a final decision. Some women decide that parenting is the right decision.
Can I choose adoption if I am already parenting other children?
Yes. Probably about half the women we work with are already parenting other children. There are so many reasons why placement is for one child is a sound decision even while parenting another child. No one is here to judge you. And in an open adoption the children can always have a relationship.
Questions about the adoption process
How do I start the adoption process in Florida?
Call or text 877-437-3424. A counselor answers right away. The first call costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
How long does adoption take in Florida?
No one else decides the timeline except you. For some women, the decision and the paper work are completed in a few weeks. Other women need several months to decide. While we have helped women make plans while they were in labor.
Do I need the birth father's permission?
There is no absolute to this question. The father’s legal rights depend on his status. An unmarried biological father who has not established paternity or registered with the Florida Putative Father Registry may not have protected rights. Your counselor and attorney will advise based on your specific situation.
What does it cost me to place my baby for adoption in Florida?
Nothing. Adoption is always free for birth mothers. You should receive support as you do the incredibly selfless, difficult thing.
Can I still make an adoption plan if my baby is already born?
Yes. There is no deadline. Heart to Heart can help birth mothers make adoption plans for newborns and for older babies. Call 877-437-3424.
Questions about the child
Will my child know they were adopted?
Yes. In an open adoption, or a semi-adoption, your child will not only know they are adopted, but will know everything that you want them to know about you. Even in closed adoptions, most adoptive families today choose to be honest with their children about their origins.
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Will my child be able to find me when they grow up?
In an open adoption, you will have ongoing contact with your child. You can communicate with and watch your child grow. You may have physical contact. Florida law allows adoptees in a closed adoption to access non-identifying information. There are also way for adult adoptees to petition for information.
Can I choose a family from a specific religion or background?
Yes. We ask you a lot of questions about what you want in the family that will become an extended family for you. You can filter family profiles by religion, ethnicity, family structure, lifestyle, and many other factors. Haley and your case manager will help you find a family that you feel comfortable with.
Questions about support and counseling
Is counseling free?
Yes. All counseling, this includes pre-placement, hospital, and post-placement, is free for birth mothers. It continues for as long as you need it after the adoption is finalized
What if I feel grief after placing my baby?
Feeling a sense of grief or lose is normal. Feeling this way does not mean you shouldn’t have placed your child for adoption. Many women report feeling grief even as they have a sense of peace about their decision. Heart to Heart Adoptions provides post-placement counseling specifically for the grief and adjustment that follow. You are not alone.
Is there support available at 2 AM?
Yes. Heart to Heart Adoption counselors are available when you need them. if you happen to call while they are on the phone with someone else they will call you back. We don’t have AI answer your phone call or text.
What if I am having thoughts of harming myself?
Please call or text right now: 877-437-3424. You can also text HOME to 741741 or call or text 988. You do not have to carry this alone.
Hear from birth mothers around Florida
“I called Heart to Heart on Monday, Michelle answered, and by Wednesday, they were helping me with rent. I needed to show that I was pregnant, but it wasn’t complicated.”
— Jennifer, Naples, Florida
“Jodi even helped me get my AC fixed in my Tampa apartment during the hottest part of summer. I would have died without them.”
— Keyonna, Florida
“Four years later, Kathy from Heart to Heart still checks on me. And I get pictures of my son at his soccer games through this app called Our Hearts Connect. I write him back and he’s learning to text and tell me things.”
— Asha, Jacksonville, Florida
“Like, the most important thing to me was finding people who would love my baby girl as much as I do, you know? And these people – they’re so amazing. They got all these pictures of me up in her room and everything. They always tell her how I picked them out specially for her, cause I did. I wanted someone who would make sure she knows where she came from and that she’s got extra love, not less. That means so much cause like… I never had that growing up. My home life was pretty messed up, so I know what it’s like not feeling wanted. But my baby girl? She’s gonna grow up knowing she’s got double the love – from them AND from me. They send me videos of her playing and stuff, and you can just see how happy she is. That’s all I wanted for her, you know? A family that would love her like crazy but still keep me in her life too. And they do. For real, they do.”
— Mariana, Orlando, Florida
“I am parenting my baby today because Wendy helped me realize I was panicking.”
— Samie, Tallahassee, Florida
You don't have to do this alone.
We're here to walk beside you—every step of the way.
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