Q: My bestfriend is 5 months pregnant and she is seriously considering adoption. I was adopted and went through horrible
abuse from them. As well as a lot of other things. She is weary of giving him up for adoption to just anyone and she wants me to adopt him, maybe even have everything signed and done before he is born. I just turned 20 and I techniqually have five step children but would love another. As well as stemming from my own adoption, i have wanted to adopt a child or children.. Is there a way we could do that? Thank you!
A: Your friend should discuss this with a local attorney experienced in adoptions. Certainly what you ultimately want to do may be possible, but there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Are you married? I note that you say you "technically" have five step children, which tells me you may not be married to their father(s). Also, the biological father of the baby would have to either agree to have his parental rights terminated or she will have to file to have them involuntarily terminated. If she has no money for a private attorney, perhaps the local Legal Assistance agency can provide some legal representation or guide her to an organization which could help her.
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