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Birth Mother FAQs

Questions We’re Often Asked

Here are some of the questions we get asked most often. Our adoption attorneys, counselors, and women adoption specialists have over 30 years of experience responding to all-type adoption situations.

Feel free to contact us if you have a question that is not listed here.

NOTE: The answers below reflect adoption law in Florida. If you live in another
state, some of the answers will be different. Adoption law is extremely complex;
please contact us for answers that apply to your specific case.

No. All expenses are paid by the adoptive parents. Birth mother expenses may include medical care, counseling, living expenses, transportation, and other things.
Yes. Your living expenses, transportation, counseling, and medical costs are provided to you at no cost. The adoptive parents pay all fees and costs of the adoption.
As an adoption entity, we can help by paying the following bills, costs, and expenses:
  • Rent
  • Utilities
  • Telephone service
  • Food
  • Toiletries
  • Clothing
  • Transportation
  • Insurance
You may also receive payment for other expenses if the court decides they are necessary for your (or your unborn child’s) health and wellbeing.
In Florida, a birth mother is allowed to receive help with living expenses during her pregnancy and for a period of up to 6 weeks after the child’s birth.
Yes. An adoption agency or entity may provide the help to locate and obtain housing.

You can contact us for a free consultation any time in your pregnancy. Most Florida adoption agencies will not provide financial assistance and services unless the mother is past her second trimester. At Shorstein & Kelly, we do not have a hard and fast rule. We review each case with compassion and consideration for the best interests of a proposed adoption plan.

Yes. If you are over the age of 14 you have the right to place your child for adoption. No approval is needed from parents or other family members.

No. In Florida, the rights of the father may differ widely based on the specific
facts of each case. Contact us for a free consultation as to the facts of your
father situation. All discussions are privileged and confidential.

When a birth parent chooses and meets the adoptive parents and they directly share communication, contact and information with each other, it is generally referred to as an open adoption. 

A semi-open adoption is a version of the open adoption that is tailored to the needs of birth parents and the adoptive parents. For example, instead of full communication, some birth mothers prefer to start with only digital communication. Usually, over time, a semi-open adoption develops into a more open adoption, especially as the relationship between the parties grows stronger.

Contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation about an open adoption.

When birth parents and adoptive parents have little or no contact, communication, or information about each other, it is generally referred to as a closed adoption. In these cases, each party, upon request, is provided only non-identifying information about the other party.  That way, the adoption is closed for both sides.

Today, closed adoptions are not as common. There are limited circumstances where a closed adoption may benefit the parties. Contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation about your situation.

Yes. You will be provided extensive information about families who meet criteria that you define. You’ll be able to select from our picture profile books. We work with families from Florida and across the United States. You can select the location for the family.
Yes. You may not realize it, but all adoptive parents want to meet their birth parents. Meeting with birth parents makes the adoption “real” for both parties. Plus, when the child gets older the experience can be shared with love, openness, and compassion.
Yes. You can have as much or as little contact with the baby as you want at the hospital.
Yes, in newborn adoptions the consent for adoption is signed after the child’s birth and is final, binding, and irrevocable from the moment it is signed. This allows the adoptive parents to immediately accept the baby into their family from the hospital.
Yes, as a birth mom, you can change your mind until you sign the final consent for adoption after the birth of the child.
Yes. We screen families looking only for parents who promise to be open, honest, and fully committed to informing the child about being adopted.
Yes, if you choose an open adoption, you will exchange identifying information with the family. Also, there are several adoption reunion registries that are regularly utilized to locate family members. We provide all the detailed information and help with registration.
Yes, for at least 18 years.

Disclaimer

The information provided above is based on Florida’s adoption law. This is not a complete summary of the law, and it is not tailored to a specific case. This information may change based on your specific situation. If you have questions regarding your adoption plan, please give us a call for a free consultation.
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Jacksonville Adoption Attorneys
Also with offices in Daytona Beach

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(904) 348 6415
(904) 348 6400
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