FAQs for Adoptive Parents
Who can apply to adopt with Godwin & Horst, Attorneys at Law?
South Carolina residents or someone adopting a South Carolina born child can adopt through our firm. As private adoption attorneys, Lori and Ray have had experience in all types of adoptions, including infant adoptions, older child adoptions, special needs adoptions, and family adoptions. Although by law, we cannot complete international adoptions, we have helped couples who have adopted internationally re-adopt children in the United States. We have also assisted couples who have taken placement of children from countries which do not allow finalization of adoption.
What services does Godwin & Horst, Attorneys at Law provide?
Our ability to get things done, our years of experience, and our willingness to walk you through every step of the adoption process sets our office apart from other adoption agencies or attorneys. We will hold your hand and provide not just legal advice but also practical advice about all aspects of your adoption plan.
We will draft, file, process, and finalize all the necessary legal documents involved in adoption and either refer you to a birth mother or locate a child for you to adopt. Since all adoptions require special home investigations, our office will help find a certified adoption investigator to facilitate your home study.
In addition, we help you create letters of introduction to potential birth mothers and advise you in creating a personalized portfolio — pictures of your life to show birth mothers the life you are inviting her child to enjoy.
We know that the adoption process can be very confusing and emotionally draining, so we also make ourselves available to answer questions and keep you up to date regarding the status of your adoption.
Once the adoption is complete, we help you finalize the adoption through the Family Court of either your county of residence or of the child’s birth, whichever is located in South Carolina. In addition, we help you obtain the amended birth certificate for your child once your adoption has been finalized.
What if the child has health problems?
In most adoption situations, babies are usually born healthy; but in the event your adoption situation is one of the few births with health problems, you, as an adoptive couple, need to discuss which disorders or serious health conditions you are prepared to handle.
If you want to continue with the adoption of a special needs child, your home study must approve you to adopt such a child. You will need to discuss your ability to care for such a child with your home study provider. If you are not prepared to adopt a child with special needs, then the child will be placed with another family. You should not feel pressured to do something you are not prepared to do.
What are the expenses associated with adoption?
One of the most common concerns of adoption is the financial means required. Every adoption plan is different, and each situation varies greatly. Fees associated with adoption include attorney’s fees, guardian ad litem fees, filing fees, background report fees, process server fees, publication fees, agency fees, living expenses for the birth mother, postpartum expenses, postage, and medical expenses. The custom in South Carolina is to pay up to six weeks of postpartum living expenses for a normal delivery and up to eight weeks for a Cesarean delivery.
Can we receive financial aid or tax credits?
Many adoptive couples can qualify for tax deductions and tax credits. Our office also has an extensive list of potential grant options for adoptive couples. Our financial paralegal directs our clients to these different financial opportunities.
