Place a child for adoption in the state of Utah:
- Decide to place.
- Determine whether or not the birth father is involved. Do you know who your birth father is?
- Decide what’s important to you for your child. What are your top priorities? What type of family are you looking for?
- Determine whether or not you will use an agency for placement or try to place privately.
- Decide where you are at financially. Do you need help with living expenses? Delivery? Do you have insurance that will help out with prenatal care and delivery?
- Reach out online, both to agencies to ask questions, as well as privately to anyone you may have contact with in Utah.
We adopted privately for our third adoption. One of our old neighbors who had moved to another city called one day because her neighbor was looking for a transracial family to place her great-granddaughter in. Our neighbor knew we had adopted and hoped we would know others who were interested in adopting. As it turned out, we were wanting to adopt at that time.
- Once you have decided on an agency or private adoption, start eliminating those who may not have the same goals as you.
- Make sure you have legal representation separate from your adoptive family. If you are using an agency, they will provide someone for you.
- Make sure you have legal counsel from a licensed attorney in adoption if you are placing privately.
- If you are placing privately after delivery, placement can be done with an attorney and a judge that will sign off on placement. This will be done through a court representative with the appropriate legal documentation from your attorney/adoptive families attorney.
(With our private adoption we met at city building with our attorney. Our birth mother had a court-appointed representative. We had brought the appropriate legal paperwork prepared by our attorney. Our birth mom was scared of going into a courtroom, so this was a great choice for our situation.)
- You have 24 hours to change your mind in the state of Utah after placement. However, before you ever actually sign those papers, you need to have made your firm decision regarding placement.
- The adoptive parents then have custody for a period of at least six months in the state of Utah before finalization. During this period, the adoption is allowed in court before a judge. The adoptive parents will have three post-placement visits from their licensed social worker to ensure the safety and well being of the child during the 6-month period.
- It’s imperative that a post-placement plan is in place prior to placement. If you have had communication with your adoptive family prior to delivery make sure your wishes are in writing prior to signing over your rights. Make sure you and they are very clear in what expectations they can and cannot meet. Much heartache can be avoided with this step.
- Post-placement counseling. It is very wise to ask the adoptive family to help with financing post-placement counseling. Placing a child is beautiful and gut-wrenching all at the same time. Allow yourself the opportunity to heal, and let a professional help you.
- Make sure you have a support system in place in your hometown. Parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and coworkers all can help strengthen you after placement.
- Make plans for employment or furthering your education. Have a job lined up if at all possible. Getting yourself busy in building your future will help you continue to feel positive about your placement.
