There is so much thought that goes into the adoption process. Most planning and discussion have more to do with your heart than the actual steps that need to be taken. By the time you are searching Google for Mississippi adoption laws you are already well on your way and you know in your heart what you would like to do.
Things change all the time, the law is constantly reflecting changes in culture. The world is always evolving and adoption law is no different. So what about Mississippi adoption laws? Did you know that across the United States, many adoption laws are universal?
There are different paths to adoption; these are the same regardless of which state you call home.
First, you can and will need to decide if you will be using an agency or working on your adoption independently. If you choose to adopt through an agency we suggest interviewing multiple agencies before deciding (the same goes for foster care adoption; check locally with your county and also with some private foster care providers.)
You may choose to adopt internationally or domestically. Both paths are wonderful ways to build your family and both have benefits and drawbacks. You will need to decide what is right for you.
Maybe you are adopting as a step-parent or a relative. These types of adoptions can be straight forward or complicated depending on your various circumstances. It may not seem necessary but for these types of adoptions, you really ought to consult a lawyer each step of the way to help the process go smoothly.
You can adopt all across the United States as a same-sex couple, an independent single person, or with a spouse. There are exceptions in Mississippi where faith-based agencies may decline an application for religious reasons. And if you feel that you will be unfairly declined by an agency, you should consult your attorney or find an agency that shares your values –remember you will want to interview a few different agencies anyway.
In Mississippi, you are lucky enough to have access to the Gladney Adoption Agency. In 2019 alone, 211 children were placed in adoptive homes through the efforts of the Gladney agency. By visiting their website you will see that Gladney has an extensive history of promoting and building paths to adoption for children and/ or expectant parents. While Mississippi does not hold a physical office location at this time, there are a variety of resources still available to you with relevant information.
Edna Gladney was named Superintendent of the Texas Children’s Home in 1927. Edna Gladney’s famous argument on removing the stigma of illegitimacy from birth records before the Legislature. It made Texas the first state in the Southwest to legally remove the stigma of illegitimacy from birth records. “Gladney exists to give children loving, caring families here at home and around the world. That’s the heart of our mission.” If you need help call us at 800-452-3639 or email [email protected]. We are here to help and get you connected to resources.
Legally, adoption can be a very complex process, once you are sure you are ready to adopt you will need to be familiar with Mississippi’s Adoption Laws. Consulting an attorney is strongly advised. The rules and regulations regarding adoption are familiar among most states.
For very detailed information from the Mississippi State Legislature, you may decide to dig deep and read through the statutes in their entirety or you could consult a legal team to give you the specific things to know regarding your unique case. There are other resources online for you to peruse. This will be more relevant to your own Mississippi Adoption Laws.
But if you are searching for Mississippi Adoption Laws that you just want to familiarize yourself with a basic overview.
Here are five things you’ll want to know about Mississippi Adoption Law if you’re looking to adopt;
1. In Mississippi, children over the age of 14 need to consent to their adoption unless the court dispenses with consent in the best interest of the child.
Why is this important?
Adoption is a beautiful blending of lives. It is also a complicated and emotional end to another phase in one’s life that is now over. Sometimes it is hard for children and even older adoptees to reconcile the loss of a previous family and the beginning of a new one. This is only one of the reasons a child over 14 might not want to consent.
Perhaps the child has been separated from siblings? Maybe the child is hopeful that a biological family member will come forward. Or in certain cases, they are still building the foundation of trust that is needed in their mind to make the family bond official.
2. Mississippi law requires home residency of the child for 6 months before the finalization of adoption; the waiting period may be shortened if the child resided in a home before the entry of interlocutory degree or is the stepchild of the petitioner.
Why is this important?
This ensures the commitment of both parties and allows adjustment of the child and the new family to bond.
3. Any person can be adopted
Why is this important?
Everyone deserves the right to belong to a family. Age does not diminish someone’s desire to belong and be included.
4. Any unmarried adult or spouses jointly can adopt. Must be a Mississippi resident for 90 days preceding filing except under certain circumstances.
Why is this important?
There are tens of thousands of children waiting for adoptive homes and families come in all sizes and varieties. Allowing everyone the equal ability to adopt is not only ethically correct, it the best reflection of the basic family unit in America. Ensuring the residency period helps to establish stability and predictability of prospective adoptive parents.
5. The statute of limitations in Mississippi allows for 6 months to challenge the interlocutory decree; or 6 months from the date of the final decree
Why is this important?
Sometimes adoption comes out of a complicated situation. While we hope that everything goes smoothly there is always a slight chance that things did not go as planned. This gives assurance to all involved in the process that any hiccups can be corrected within the allotted time to challenge the decision.
Here are five things you’ll want to know about Mississippi Adoption Law if you’re looking to place your baby for adoption;
1. Mississippi law requires home residency of the child for a minimum of 6 months before the finalization of the adoption.
Why is this important?
This shows the court and you that your child’s adoptive family’s commitment is being taken seriously. It provides reassurance of stability and time to move forward more efficiently with the rest of the adoption process.
2. To place a baby for adoption in Mississippi, there is no waiting period to consent to adoption however, consent is required from specific people.
Consent is required by the mother and any man who has legally adopted the child, any man who was married to the child’s biological mother at the time of conception or birth unless his paternity was disproved by the court, a man who is the legal mother of the child after the child was born and recognized the child as his own unless his paternity has been disproved, a man who has been determined to be the father by a final paternity order, and any man who has legitimized the child by a final order and has not surrendered or had his rights to the child terminated, or the guardian of the child.
Why is this important?
This ensures that you and your partner are serious about your decision to place your child for adoption. It helps the adoptive family to feel secure in their new role as parents knowing that both parties have agreed upon their decision.
3. There is a 72-hour window in Mississippi given to a mother to change her mind.
Why is this important?
Sometimes adoption comes out of a complicated situation. While we hope that everything goes smoothly there is always a slight chance that things did not go as planned. While we hope it never has to be done, in Mississippi, there is a 72-hour window established for a mother to change her mind. This allows for any hiccups along the way to be sorted out.
4. The state of Mississippi maintains restrictions on allowable expenses that are permitted to prospective birth parents in adoption. You can get help with the pregnancy and adoption expenses incurred in placing your baby for adoption.
The types of expenses most commonly allowed by statute include the following:
- Maternity-related medical and hospital costs
- Temporary living expenses of the mother during pregnancy
- Counseling fees
- Attorney and legal fees and guardian ad litem fees
- Travel costs, meals, and lodging when necessary for court appearances or accessing services
Why is this important?
The health and well-being of you and your baby are of utmost importance during this critical time. Everyone is committed to the best possible outcome for all of those involved. Financial concerns should be the least of your worries as you decide your next steps.
5. All potential adoptive parents must be approved by a Mississippi adoption home study, which includes background checks, interviews, home inspections, and more.
Why is this important?
You can rest assured that a lot of time and thought and effort goes into this process on the side of prospective adoptive parents. You can receive detailed information on anything that would enhance or hinder your baby’s well-being long before you decide to meet with families looking to adopt. Home
studies check all historical, criminal, financial, and moral background information – this will give you lots of wonderful information on the families you wish to meet up with.
So whether you are seeking to adopt or looking to place your baby with a family for adoption you can see that there is a vast amount of information and if we are being honest it is a lot to take in. Your best plan will likely include an adoption or foster care agency and a dedicated caseworker. The Gladney Agency is happy to help and will walk you step by step through the process.
You are not alone and you are not expected to know what to do or where to look for this information. Give the dedicated professionals a call and reach out to get started. The Gladney Adoption Office’s main branch is located at Fort Worth Adoption Office 6300 John Ryan Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76132-4122 and the direct office line is 817-922- 6000.
“Gladney understands that effective therapeutic clinical support techniques are based on serving our clients holistically – caring for them in mind, body, and spirit.”
On their website, there are resources, Q & A, educational materials, post-adoption support services, therapeutic support, and even a podcast. According to the Gladney website, The reFRAMED podcast is created to educate, encourage, and inspire parents and professionals that have a love for children and want to meet their needs. Each episode has a special guest that is an expert in their field. Podcast Host, Emily Morehead, LPC, has a real conversation about how we reframe our parenting skills, expectations, and practices from traditional parenting into mindful parenting.
In addition to all of this, there is also a blog with lots of up-to-date posts.
Start talking to people in your circle and hear some real lived experiences so that you can make your best decisions. For legal advice, you will need to be in contact with an attorney who can become familiar with your unique situation. For those who are currently looking for some online encouragement check out the testimonials of expectant moms on Gladney’s website.
Each adoption story is beautiful and complicated in its own way. Some are straightforward while others are a winding path. But all begin and end with choices made in love. Wishing you all of the love and luck possible as you embark on this exciting chapter in your lives.
Are you considering placing a child for adoption? Not sure what to do next? First, know that you are not alone. Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to speak to one of our Options Counselors to get compassionate, nonjudgmental support. We are here to assist you in any way we can.
