Some people decide early in life that they don’t want to have children. For other people, they don’t really think about having a family until they’re in their thirties. By that time, you may be dedicated to your career. Or, you’ve just decided to not marry and wish to remain single and be a single parent.
For single people, adopting a child can be a rewarding experience. Some people either don’t believe in marriage or they haven’t found the person they want to spend the rest of their life with. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to have a family.
Some of the best parents you know are a single parent. There is no law that says you have to be a married couple in order to adopt a child. However, there is a bias toward single people when it comes to adoption agencies. There is a common perception that a child needs to be raised by both a mother and a father.
There is some common sense to this. Children should have more than one role model. It’s also difficult to raise a child on a single income. However, there are people who can absolutely care for a child, either with or without a spouse.
If you’re a single person looking to adopt a child, you should contact an experienced adoption lawyer in San Antonio. They can guide you through the process and warn you upfront of the challenges you will face.
How Common are Single Parent Adoptions?
Contrary to public opinion, single parents make up a good percentage of adoptions in the United States. In fact, about 28% of all adoptions are completed by single parents. If a single person meets all of the requirements for adoption, there is no reason why their application should be denied.
Raising a child on your own can be difficult. The courts know this. That’s why they require all candidates complete a home study. Your San Antonio adoption attorney can help you with this process.
There are certain things the home study is going to look at, including:
- Your employment and financial history
- Home study to make sure your house is safe, clean and secure
- Interviews with your spouse and children
- Screen the adults and older children for criminal backgrounds
- Check to see if there is a history of abuse or other issues with child protective services
The social study will be conducted by a third party. They will submit their findings to the court. Once this is completed, the final step in the adoption will take place.
The hardest part about the home study for single parents will be the financial history. Your adoption attorney in San Antonio can help you prepare for the home study and interview process.
What Does the Financial Background Look For?
The court’s main concern is that you will provide a loving and safe home for your child. However, they also need to know that you can financially provide for a child. Raising a child can be very expensive. If you don’t have a stable financial history, it could hurt your chances of adopting a child.
When a couple is looking to adopt a child, there are usually two incomes to consider. Or, if one parents stays at home, they can provide child care. Child care is an expense that a single adoptive parent will have to pay for. These things are all considerations when conducting your background check and home study.
The court doesn’t want to approve an adoption only to find out a year or two later that you can’t afford to take care of your child. The last thing they want is to have someone collecting welfare and assistance for a child that they asked to have. They also don’t want the child to suffer from neglect because you can’t afford to take care of them.
Contact an Adoption Attorney in San Antonio Today
If you’re a single person looking to adopt, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Contact an experienced adoption attorney in San Antonio at Eddington & Worley today. They can help you through the process. They can also prepare you for the kind of investigation your adoption petition will involve.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation. Let a skilled San Antonio adoption attorney answer any questions you may have.