If you are pregnant and considering placing your baby for adoption, you are not alone. Shorstein & Kelly Adoptions are here to help. We guide you through the adoption process with a customized plan tailored to your needs and circumstances during pregnancy. In general, the adoption process for birth mothers in Florida is as follows: 

• Meet with an adoption professional to prepare an individualized adoption plan and establish an adoption budget.
• Meet a licensed adoption counselor.
• Select an adoptive family and finalize an adoption plan.
• Sign adoption consent after the child is born.
• Receive pictures and updates (open adoptions include visits and other contact).

Nothing. All adoption expenses are paid by the adoptive parents. Birth mother expenses may include medical care, counseling, living expenses, transportation, and more.

In an open adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive family exchange identifying information and have direct, continuing contact after the baby is born. Post-birth contact may include phone calls, FaceTimes, texts, pictures, visits, and vacation sharing. 

Your living expenses, transportation, counseling, and medical costs are provided to you at no charge. The adoptive parents pay all fees and costs of the adoption.

In addition, as an adoption entity, Shorstein & Kelly can help by paying the following bills, costs, and expenses: rent, utilities, telephone service, food, toiletries, clothing, transportation, and 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 well-being.

The process for stepparent and grandparent adoption in Florida is straightforward: 

• Consult with an adoption attorney
• Determine your eligibility
• Obtain consent of parties
• File the adoption petition
• Finalize the adoption

Stepparent and grandparent adoptions can be handled on an expedited basis. No home study is required. Most final hearings occur via Zoom. The Judge will issue a final adoption decree at this hearing, legally establishing the adoptive relationship between you and the child. Afterward, we obtain an amended birth certificate for the child reflecting their new legal name and your name as the parent.

Prices may vary depending on the circumstances. Typically, our retainer for a non-contested stepparent or grandparent adoption is $4,500. The retainer includes attorney fees, court filing fees, birth certificate costs and vital statistics costs.