Adoption

SERVING SCOTTSBORO AND JACKSON COUNTY

Adoption of a child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.  The legal process of your adoption is not the end, but rather the beginning of an experience that is uniquely rewarding.  There will be exciting times and there may be challenges. It is a forever decision that should not be taken lightly. 

REASONS TO ADOPT

• Infertility: Couples who struggle to conceive biologically often turn to adoption to build a family. 
• Giving a child a stable home: Adoption offers a child a permanent, loving environment with access to necessary resources and support. 
• Helping a child in need: Many children in the foster care system are waiting for adoptive families to provide them with a permanent home. 
• Altruism: The desire to make a positive impact on a child’s life and provide them with opportunities they may not have had otherwise. 
• Personal circumstances of birth parents: Birth parents may choose adoption due to personal challenges like addiction, mental health issues, or unstable living situations. 
• Expanding family dynamics: Adoption allows individuals or couples to create a family structure that fits their needs, including adopting older children or children with special needs. 
• Religious or cultural reasons: Some individuals may feel called to adopt based on their religious beliefs or cultural traditions

ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS IN ALABAMA

• You must be over the age of 19.
• If married, the marriage must have lasted for at least three years.
• If married, one of you must be an American citizen.
• You must have adequate housing for the child.
• You must be in reasonably good health and able to meet the child’s needs.
• You must undergo a background check, including criminal history.
• You must be approved by an Alabama adoption home study, which includes a review of your financial records, health issues, home visits, criminal background check which includes your criminal history.

TYPES OF ADOPTIONS

At DUNSMORE & BENSON, we assist with many types of adoptions. The most common type of adoptions are stepparent adoptions, foster parent adoptions and private and family adoptions.  There are also special circumstances that might warrant an adult adoption.

If you have questions about the adoption process, contact DUNSMORE & BENSON to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney. 

FOSTER PARENT ADOPTIONS

At DUNSMORE & BENSON, if a family is licensed to adopt through the Alabama Department of Human Resources as a foster parent, the family may qualify for and be eligible for a subsidy to defray some of the costs of adoptions.  Contact DUNSMORE & BENSON for more information.

EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY FOR ADOPTIONS IN SCOTTSBORO AND JACKSON COUNTY

For help with adoptions, call DUNSMORE & BENSON at 256-574-9999 to schedule your free consultation.

(HAVE A HYPERLINK ON THIS PAGE TITLED “ADDITONAL RESOURCES” TO GO TO A PAGE WITH THE RESOURCES BELOW—DO NOT PUT THIS ON THE ADOPTION HOME PAGE

ADDITITONAL RESOURCES: There are many support organizations that provide opportunities to help foster, adoptive, & kinship families in a variety of ways.  

Alabama Foster & Adoptive Parent Association

https://afapa.org

Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Handbook

https://afapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AFAPA-HANDBOOK-March-2024-with-updated-chart.pdf

Adoptive Families Magazine

https://www.adoptivefamilies.com 

Alabama Fostering Hope Scholarship

www.fosteringhopeal.org   State funded investment post-secondary education and training goals of qualified youth who were in the foster care system when they earned a high school diploma or GED. The scholarship is also extended to those who are a part of the States Kinship-Guardianship program or adopted from Alabama foster care after the age of 14.  The scholarship covers tuition and required fees as provided by the school for eligible students enrolled in a post-secondary certificate or degree program.  To be eligible for the Fostering Hope Scholarship, child must earn your high school or general education diploma BEFORE they leave care.

Alabama’s Independent Living Program

https://ilconnect.org   Resources for youth (ages 14+) currently in Alabama Foster Care.

The Alabama Foster & Adoptive Parent Association periodically provides regional training workshops throughout the year and an annual training conference for parents across the state.

The Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connection (APAC), through their parent support groups and regional offices, provides periodical training seminars throughout the year. 

Adopt US Kids Educates families about foster care and adoption and gives child welfare professionals information and support to help them improve their services. We also maintain the nation’s only federally funded photo listing service that connects waiting children with families. 

https://adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/parenting-support/support-services-by-state/alabama

DISCLAIMER: Organizations and Resources listed above are not necessarily endorsed by DUNSMORE & BENSON but are included here as a resource.