Adoption | oregonadopt.com

Adoption & Family Formation Law

Adoptive Parents

Forming your family through adoption

Whether you have located a child on your own to adopt or an expectant mother who is considering adoption for her unborn child, Susan Moffet can help you through the adoption process. With over 35 years of adoption experience, you can be confident that the legal and practical aspects of your adoption will be handled competently. She will work with you on the practical and legal aspects of the adoption toward the ultimate goal of finalizing you adoption. We handle interstate adoptions and Indian Child Welfare Act questions.

How do I get started?

It's easy! Call Susan Moffet at (541) 316-7150 or use the Contact form and request a Prospective Client Packet. If you have some preliminary questions, we will answer them before you proceed. If you decide to proceed, we will send you information to fill out and return. Once we have received your information we can set up any additional necessary appointments to begin the adoption process.

How long will it take?

This depends on many factors. Most adoptions take 4-6 months to finalize once the Petition for Adoption is filed. However, in an infant adoption, locating a birth mother can take anywhere from a few days to many months. Once found, the time line depends on how far along your birth mother is in her pregnancy.

Where do I get a Home Study?

A home study verifies information about you and your family. The Oregon Department of

Human Service has contracted with several Oregon adoption agencies to complete pre-placement

home studies for Oregon Adoptive families. If you live outside of Oregon, your out-of-state

home study will be reviewed and approved by one of the Oregon agencies. Susan Moffet will

help you arrange for the home study and/or approval process.

What if I already know a birth mother who wants to place with me?

Great! We can gather social and medical background information from your birth mother. We will arrange for her to be represented by an attorney and draw up the appropriate legal documents. We will make arrangements with the doctor and hospital so the placement goes smoothly.

What if I am single?

Oregon allows single people and non-traditional families to adopt.

What if we don't live in Oregon?

Families from other states can adopt in Oregon as long as the child or the birth parent have lived in Oregon for at least six months before placement. In some circumstances, it may be best to finalize your adoption in your home state. We can help you make that determination.

Independent Adoption

The majority of adoptions in the United States are independent adoptions. An independent adoption occurs when a birth parent places their child directly with an adoptive family without any involvement or interference by the state’s Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services, or an adoption agency. Under Oregon law, a birth parent may choose any family to adopt their child as long as the family has a favorable home

study.

Susan Moffet helps birth parents who are looking for the right family to adopt their child. Birth parents can choose the home environment they want for their child. Our office handles the legal, practical and financial aspects of the adoption process. All costs of the adoption are paid by the adoptive family. Many Oregon independent adoptions include a post-birth continuing contact agreement (Adoption Agreement) that is approved by the court as part of the adoption process. The Agreement may provide for the exchange of pictures and letter updates until the adopted child reaches adulthood.

Susan Moffet represents adoptive parents in Oregon and throughout the United States who have a favorable home study and are ready to become parents. She can help in the process of obtaining a home study, preparing a portfolio to be shown to prospective with parents and developing a plan to find the child who is right for their family. Ms. Moffet has over 35 years of experience in handling independent adoptions. She is experienced with requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act and those between residents of different states when adoptions involving the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children applies.

Ms. Moffet also advises prospective adoptive parents on the legalities of all adoption related expenses. This includes payment for pregnany related living expenses, counseling. medical and legal costs. We provide an accounting to the court of all costs associated with the adoption. We also provide documentation for our clients to aid them in applying for Federal Adoption Tax Credit.

Agency & International Adoption

Adopting through a licensed adoption agency can be a wonderful experience. If you have chosen an agency, Susan Moffet can guide you through the legal process. Ms. Moffet will provide an unbiased explanation of agency adoption procedures and help develop a legally secure plan tailored to your individual needs.

Ms. Moffet can clarify your options for post-placement arrangements with birth parents and draft or review an agreement to ensure your interests and the child’s interests are protected. We will finalize your agency adoption in a timely and secure manner. Many agency adoptions can be finalized for an affordable flat fee.

The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement that establishes standards and procedures for international adoptions. International adoptions are handled through adoption agencies that have been accredited to handle international adoption situations and with contacts in a specific foreign country that is a member of the Hague Convention. Susan Moffet can finalize your international adoption after you and the child return home. If your adoption is finalized in the child's country of origin, she can do an Oregon re-adoption and obtain an Oregon Certificate of Live Birth.

Step-parent Adoption

Many wonderful families are created through step-parent adoptions. Susan Moffet can help when you want to adopt your spouse’s or partner’s child.

When the non-custodial parent consents to the adoption, it can be an inexpensive and streamlined process. More complicated situations require careful evaluation before proceeding. It is important to consider the practical, legal, and emotional aspects of a step-parent adoption before taking the first steps.

Susan Moffet can help you decide if it's right to proceed with a step-parent adoption. If needed, she can initiate contact with the non-custodial parent on your behalf.

Step-parent adoptions do not require an extensive home-study process because one of the child’s parents will retain his or her parental rights. Uncontested step-parent adoptions can often be completed in about four months.

Adult Adoption

Oregon law allows one adult to adopt another through the court system. The legal process is streamlined and quicker than one involving the adoption of a minor child. An adult adoption only requires the consent of the person adopting and the person who is being adopted. Generally, you are not required to notify the adoptee’s birth parents or other relatives. A new birth certificate will be issued reflecting the status of the adopting adult as the parent of the adult adoptee.

There are several circumstances where an adult adoption is appropriate. The most common is when an adult was raised by a step-parent or other relative and now – as an adult – wants to become their legal child. In every adult adoption the court has wide latitude to assure him or herself that the parties fully understand the significance and permanency of the adoption.

Birth Parents

Let us help you during this important time

Making an adoption plan for your child is one of the most important life choices you will ever make. Susan Moffet can help you through the adoption process and see that you have the care and resources necessary for making a successful adoption plan.
Susan Moffet has helped women with adoption for more that 35 years. She is available to answer your questions and to help you with your unique situation.
Adoption is a legal process that allows a child to become a member of a new family. Adoption is a way you can provide a good home for your child and make certain your child has the love and life opportunities you feel are important. Let us help you during this important time of your life.

Is Adoption for Me?

Only you can determine if adoption is the right choice for you and your child. This is a highly personal decision and cannot be taken lightly. You may wish and need to talk to a professional counselor, family member, or friend as you make your decision. It is important that you go through a well though out process.

The following questions may help you start your decision-making process:

Is my life situation conductive to raising a child at this time?

Are there changes I could make before the baby is born which would improve my situation?

Do I have emotional and financial support necessary to parent my child in the way I want?

What are my financial resources? What is my level of income?

What are my emotional resources? Who will support me during this pregnancy and afterwards?

What are my long-term goals for myself?

How does this pregnancy affect those goals?

How does parenting affect these goals?

What are my goals for this child?

What is my concept for being a good parent to this child?

What are the potential gains for myself if I choose adoption?

What are the potential losses for myself if I choose adoption?

How will I approve of myself if I make an adoption plan?

How will I disapprove of myself if I make an adoption plan?

What other options have I considered?

How will my choice affect other people I care about?

Where do I see myself in 6 months? One year? Three years?

Who Chooses Adoption?

All kinds of parents!

A single mother who does not feel ready to raise a child by herself

An unmarried couple who are not yet ready to start a family

A married couple who already have children to provide for

A couple with marital or other issues who wan a stable home for their baby

And all the parents in between!

Oregon law allows birth parents to place their child for adoption with an approved family of their choosing. You will be represented by your own attorney (paid for by the adoptive parents) who will make certain your legal rights are protected. A single woman can often place a child for adoption without the alleged birth father’s consent.

What does it cost?

All adoption costs are paid by the adoptive family and there is no cost to you. The law allows the adoptive family to pay your necessary legal, medical, and pregnancy-related living expenses.

Why use an adoption attorney?

Adoption attorneys are uniquely qualified. Unlike agency social workers, they know the law, and can explain your rights and how the adoption process works. An attorney can accurately access the risks and assure that your rights are fully protected. Attorneys know about all types of adoptions – private, relative, agency, state, independent – and can help you choose the best one for you.

Who Adopts?

They are married couples and single people of all ages. They may have infertility problems, or perhaps they want to adopt a child because they were adopted themselves.

Some adoptive parents have already adopted one child and are seeking a second child to add to their family. They come from all walks of life, and have different backgrounds, religious beliefs, and interests. Although their specific circumstances may be different, they all have one thing in common: They are eager to love and provide for a child.

All adoptive parents are investigated and approved to adopt a child through an extensive home study process. You choose the adoptive family. You may place your child with a family in Oregon or anywhere in the United States.

Choose the family that best fits your needs and desires for your child.

Advantages of Independent Adoptions

You decide who will raise your child.

You can receive adoption-related counseling from a therapist of your choice.

You will have you own attorney to protect your interests.

You may be eligible for help with medical and pregnancy-related living expenses.

You can take comfort by knowing in advance about the adoptive family and the home that will welcome your baby.

You can have a legally enforceable Adoption Agreement which is approved by the court that grants the adoption.