I've been trying to research this topic for help, but everything I've found has been either too vague or too confusing.... My 19yr old niece has been living with us for the past 5mos or so. She is now almost 9mos pregnant and has asked my husband and I to adopt the baby (which we are more than thrilled to do!). The problem we are running into is we just don't know what steps we need to take. We know we need a lawyer and we'll have to go to court most likely, but we have no idea how much it's going to cost, or what other steps we have to take. One of my main questions is how does everything work with the insurance and legal issues as soon as the baby is born (I will be present at the birth)? Is there a way to get the baby in our name and on our insurance right away? Or does the baby need to be on medical assistance until the adoption goes through? Would it be better to just do legal custody until the adoption goes through? The main reason I'm worried about all of that is because we're military and the only doctors we're allowed to see through our insurance is military doctors, meaning the baby will have to switch doctors once the adoption goes through if he has to start out w/ a different insurance, which I would like to avoid, if possible.... So, as I'm sure everyone can tell, I'm completely lost and overwhelmed with everything, since I just don't know what to expect. Has anyone else been through anything like this? Or does anyone have any advice to give? If it helps, we live in Howard County in MD. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
You should definitely ask an attorney because if everything on the paperwork end is taken care of before the baby is born than the baby should be able to go on your insurance right away.
Good luck!
I have not adopted myself but I do know from friends who have adopted family members and a supervisor who also went through the process that you will need to go through an adoption process similar to non-family members which means house and records inspection. My supervisor did not contact a lawyer, she went through a social worker with Catholic Charities because her sister could take care of her own kids till the process was complete. My friends went through a lawyer but the child's grandparents had temporary custody. I think a lawyer can expidite that part which would probably work for insurance purposes.
Hi, C., Why not contact a lawyer who specializes in adoption? That way, you'll know you are getting straight, clear answers. We have relatives who have adopted; I think it all goes pretty smoothly with the insurance, etc. Good luck and God Bless. N.
Hi C.,
I have not read the other responses yet. I just got to work and need to go into a meeting in a few min. I had a few thoughts, though, re: adoption in general and insurance. I am the mother of 2 beautiful girls (2 and 3 yrs) who were adopted through Baltimore County. I also work at a hospital so know a little about Tricare. Your neice probably already (or should have) Medical Assistance through MCHIP (Md Childrens Health Ins Plan). The baby should be elig for it until the adoption if final because the mother would still have legal rights and financial respon (check with a lawyer, but I can't see it any other way, since you won't be able to insure the baby until you are the legal parents). Anyway, if you choose Priority Partners (managed by Johns Hopkins) as the MCO, you can then get Tricare USFHP (managed by Johns Hopkins) and keep the same providers. Check into the details, but it sounds like your best bet for the Medical side of things. The legal side - sorry I can't help. Baltimore Co took care of everything for us. Any good ADOPTION lawyer will be able to help you. I don't know if you will still need to do home studies, etc. like other private adoptions, but get your ducks in a row now. It sounds like you are already in the process of adopting one niece, so that lawyer should have the info you need?
Good luck. It sounds like you have a full and active house. I hope the insurance info helps.
S.
PS: If they tell you that you need to do the home study, I would be happy to explain what that is in an aside communication.
Almost all of your questions can be best answered by a REPUTABLE attorney who has a lot of experience in adoption issues. Look for someone who is not advertising to find you a baby or anything like that, look for an attorney who says they handle family law issues. Good luck with your adoption process.
