FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Because the participation of the birth father is so important to the adoption process, we have provided answers to the frequently asked questions posed by birth fathers. 

1. What are my legal rights in adoption?
2. Can I sign legal documents placing my child for adoption prior to the child’s birth?
3. Who is responsible financially for the child?  I am worried about the medical bills and child support.
4. May I receive counseling to help handle the placing of my child for adoption?
5. Is it possible to speak to another man who placed his child for adoption?
6. May I choose the family for my baby?
7. Are all adoptions that FIA handles open adoption?
8. How do I know the family I choose will provide a safe and stable home for my child?
9. Does the agency treat biological fathers the same way they treat biological mothers? 

What are my legal rights in adoption?
A more secure placement for your child results if you, as the biological father, participate in the adoption plan.  You have the right to participate in planning for your child’s adoption and to provide medical, social and family history information.  The laws regarding a father’s rights may vary based upon the state where you reside.  Our staff can help answer some of your legal questions or provide you with a referral to an experienced adoption attorney.  There are no charges for any of the services provided to birth fathers. 
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Can I sign legal documents placing my child for adoption prior to the child’s birth?
In some states, you may sign a legal document prior to the child’s birth.  In other states, you must wait until after the child’s birth to surrender your legal rights to your child. 
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Who is responsible financially for the child?  I am worried about the medical bills and child support.
If you and the biological mother decide to parent, then in most if not all states, you as the legal father are financially responsible for all expenses involving the child and that would include medical bills and child support.  If you decide to place your child for adoption, then the adoptive parents would be responsible for the medical bills as well as your legal and counseling bills and those of the biological mother.  You would not be responsible for child support because it would be the adoptive parents’ responsibility to cover all child-related expenses. 
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May I receive counseling to help handle the placing of my child for adoption?
We encourage counseling throughout the process and you may attend counseling with your baby’s biological mother or alone or both–depending on the circumstances.  In addition, sometimes you may need the counselor’s help explaining your decision to family members.  Your family members could be included in the counseling sessions too.
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Is it possible to speak to another man who placed his child for adoption?
Yes, some of our fathers stay in touch with FIA and would be happy to speak with you or respond by email regarding their experience.  They believe that every person considering adoption for their child should be able to hear from others who are living the experience.
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May I choose the family for my baby?
If you and the baby’s mother are making this plan together for your unborn child, then it would be important for the two of you to sit down together and choose the family.  If the baby’s mother has already chosen a family, then we would be happy to provide you with the prospective adoptive family’s profile and assist you with speaking to or meeting with the family. 
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Are all adoptions that FIA handles open adoption?
No, the type of post-adoption contact varies depending on the birth parents and adoptive parents that are involved. For example, if you call our toll-free number and tell us you are looking for a family for your baby and you want one visit a year, then we will send you the profiles of prospective adoptive families that want the same type of contact.  If you want letters and pictures through the agency twice a year, and want us to keep them in a file until you are ready, then we help you achieve this contact also.  Sometimes, the biological mother and father want different post-adoption contact and we work with you and her and the prospective adoptive family to help make this happen.
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How do I know the family I choose will provide a safe and stable home for my child?
Friends In Adoption is a small agency that prides itself on REALLY knowing each and every one of our prospective adoptive families.  Unlike many other agencies, we have met in person all of our families because they are required to attend an in-depth workshop before signing on with FIA.  In addition, all of our families have been approved to adopt through a lengthy, but necessary process, called a home study during which we ensure that the adoptive family is financially and emotionally secure. The home study includes physicals and emotional health reports by a physician, as well as child abuse and criminal clearances.  FIA requires its families to keep their home study and clearances current.
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Does the agency treat biological fathers the same way they treat biological mothers? 
Yes, everyone we work with receives the kindness, caring and support they deserve from our kind and caring staff at Friends In Adoption.  Your thoughts, fears and needs will be addressed with the same compassion as the biological mother's.
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