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Oregon
Adoption Law
Oregon
adoption laws are among the most progressive in the
United States and are strongly protective of
the adoptive parents. It is not necessary to have the birth father's signature
to complete the adoption if he is not married to the birth mother nor has not
supported her throughout the pregnancy.
Oregon
birth mothers usually sign legal documents about 24 hours after the birth or
close to discharge from the hospital. Once the adopting family has custody
of the baby and the birth mother has signed the legal documents the adoption is
irrevocable.
 However, if the birth mother changes her mind after the adoption has taken place
and takes court action, the Oregon courts may explore
the legality of the adoption for up to one year after finalization. The birth
mother has to prove fraud or duress during the adoption process in order to
prevail. The birth father may also take court action up to one year
finalization, under the same conditions. Families, even those from other states,
must finalize in Oregon
because of the protective nature of these laws.
Washington
Adoption Law
Birth parents are able to sign legal paperwork prior to the
birth of the child and their rights are terminated 48 hours after the birth of
the child. The birth father must be notified of the adoption plans and he has 30
days to come forward to take steps to prevent the adoption.
Illinois
Adoption Law
The birth mother cannot sign legal documents until 72 hours after the birth.
During that time the baby can be placed with a foster family, or with the
adopting parents. The birth father must be notified and he has 30 days to come
forward and take steps to prevent the adoption.
Interstate Compact
Interstate Compact, which is a review of the adoption documents and
jurisdiction, between the sending state and the home state of the adopting
parents, usually takes 5-10 working days to complete. Out of state families
should count on at least 10-day stay in the sending state if everything goes
well. However, if adopting parents arrive early before the birth and
Interstate Compact takes longer than usual due to complicating factors the stay
can be longer.
Additional Information
JOH staff will also gather information about the medical and mental health
history of the expecting mother's family. The accuracy of this information will
vary depending upon the expecting mother's knowledge of her family. There may be
no information available about the expecting father.
Families will need to send JOH their approved home study or
have one completed by JOH-Oregon, JOH-Illinois, JOH-Washington if the family
resides in any of these states. Families also need to complete a portfolio that
will be shown to expecting mothers considering families. JOH has good
instructions for putting together a successful portfolio but must review the
draft copy. Suggestions may be made and changes should be made. Staff will
want fifteen copies of the portfolio (five for each office) because they are not
always received back from expecting parents. Families may be asked to replenish
the supply, as necessary. Expecting mothers almost always choose the adopting
family and start a relationship with them during the pregnancy.
Open Adoption
 JOH believes that open adoption is the healthiest arrangement for the child.
This belief comes from many sources including pleased children, families and
birth parents who are actively involved in open adoptions and knowing the grief
of many children who will never know their birth parents. It is encouraged
with all expecting parents and in 2008 over 90% chose an open adoption
arrangement. Therefore, it is necessary that all adoptive parents who apply to
the program feel comfortable with and are willing to be in an open adoption.
JOH staff educates expecting parents that all adopting parents enrolled in the
domestic program desire and are willing to be in a lifelong relationship with
them, all for the good of the child.
JOH staff are pleased to talk with adopting parent(s) about open
adoption and we recommend reading “Making Room In Our Hearts,”
by Micky Duxbury for more information on this arrangement.
Open adoption does includes visits
with the child and the birth parents and should not be viewed as something the
adopting parents have to do in order to be in the program. Instead it
should be seen as a positive arrangement put in place to benefit the child and
one that the adopting parents look forward to being involved in.
Adoption agreements between birth parents and the adopting parents are
legally binding in many states and must be adhered to by the adopting family.
It is anticipated that this program will place babies, toddlers and older
children who may be Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian or full or part African-American.
JOH is looking for families who can help the child achieve and maintain an
ethnic identity if adopting across racial lines.
Adopting parents who enroll in the program will fill out
paperwork allowing JOH staff to assess whether the program will meet their
needs. We are looking for adoptive parents that are open to more that just
a full Caucasian child, willing to have an open adoption with the birthparents,
and open to exploring the possibility of minimal drug exposure in-utero.
After an in-person or over-the-phone interview, the family will be notified
about their status in the program. There are no guarantees that a family will be
chosen by expecting parents, and no time frames can be predicted. For more
information please call (503) 681-3075 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM or email
info@journeysoftheheart.net
A
special service for families in our Domestic Program:
Photolistings and Family letters. Families in our Domestic
Program may choose to submit content for the web: pictures and
letters to potential Birth Mothers. You can find an
example by clicking
here.
Photolistings and Family Letters are posted to
all four of our sites, where Birth
Mothers from all the across the United
States can view and get to know you
better, any time night or day. We
find this to be a power family-building
tool
Please Click Here
to read testimonials from our families. |
