Temporary Adoptions in Kansas [How They Actually Work]
Adoption Vs. Legal Guardianship
When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you are likely overwhelmed. You can rest assured that you always have options, such as:
- Parenting
- Abortion
- Adoption
You may be considering adoption, but you want something more temporary. That could be why you want to learn more about temporary adoption in Kansas. But, we should tell you that adoption is a permanent decision, so there’s really no such thing as a temporary adoption.
Adoption, whether you place with a family member, a friend or a family you find through an agency, legally terminates a birth parent’s rights and is always permanent. In other words, temporary adoptions don’t exist. Parents who are looking for a temporary solution might want to consider legal guardianship, which places your child in the temporary custody of a family member or close friend of your choosing.
If you believe that adoption could be best for you, then reach out to us at 1-800-ADOPTION at any time. If you are interested in temporary legal guardianship, then contact a reputable attorney to get things started. Either way, we’ve put together this guide that should give you a better idea of what path is right for you and your child.
To learn more about adoption, fill out our online contact form to get more free information now. We would love to help you in whatever way that we can! In the meantime, continue reading to see how adoption or “temporary adoption” could be the choice for you.
I Want to “Give My Child away” Temporarily in Kansas. How Can I Do This?
Many prospective birth mothers wonder if temporary adoptions in Kansas are an option. If you are thinking, “I want to ‘give my child away’ temporarily,” then we should mention that this is not possible. No matter what type of adoption you pursue, it is permanent.
Throughout any adoption process, there are adoption attorneys and court systems that uphold the state’s adoption laws. This further ensures that the adoption is permanent, whether the adoptive parents are close friends or family members. Adoption is a legal matter, so the choice is final once you place your child.
But, the placement isn’t final until you sign all the necessary adoption paperwork. In Kansas, you’ll wait the state-mandated period of 72 hours after your delivery. This is to ensure that you recuperate before you sign anything important.
Also, you may have noticed that we use “give my child away” in quotes when we discuss temporary adoptions in Kansas. This is because you aren’t “giving away” or “giving up” when you choose adoption. Instead, you are giving your child a life of love and opportunity. It is a selfless, loving and heroic decision that places your child’s needs before your own, and that is beautiful.
When you choose adoption, it is never “goodbye,” but it is “see you later.” Through open adoption, you can maintain a lifelong bond with both your child and their adoptive family. There are several ways that you can all stay in touch, such as:
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Texts
- Handwritten letters
- In-person visits
- Video chats
- Or whatever you feel comfortable with
Once you find the right adoptive family, you will likely have a “gut” feeling. That’s what Candice, a birth mother who worked with American Adoptions, felt.
“Jeff and Amanda are wonderful, and I am so thankful I could give them such a gift,” she said. “We still email, and I get pictures. Our little boy is so handsome. They are amazing parents, and I know my son has a huge family who loves and cares so much for him.”
Although you can still spend plenty of time with your child through adoption, you may want a temporary solution. For instance, you may not be ready to parent right now, but you would love to parent your child later on. When you think of temporary adoption in Kansas, you likely mean something else, as its proper name is temporary legal guardianship.
What Is Temporary Legal Guardianship?
Legally speaking, guardianship is when one person assumes responsibility and cares for another person. In most cases, this is an adult caring and providing for a child when the child’s biological parents are unable to. With temporary legal guardianship, there is a specific timeframe in mind.
Similar to how you can choose the family in adoption, you can choose the guardian in a temporary legal guardianship. This person could be a family member, a friend or even a close, trustworthy acquaintance. Make sure that you are choosing someone responsible and that they have agreed to the guardianship ahead of time. This may not be a temporary adoption in Kansas, but you can still choose who takes care of your child for the time being.
While the guardian takes care of your child, you can spend that time adjusting and preparing for parenthood in whatever ways you’d like. That could include:
- Finding steady employment
- Completing a rehab program
- Finding safe housing
No matter what your reason may be, pursuing a temporary legal guardianship can help you get ready to become a parent.
How Long Does a Temporary Legal Guardianship Last?
In most cases, a temporary legal guardianship lasts up to 60 days. We should mention that, sometimes, a temporary guardianship can last longer than 60 days, but this would involve a special arrangement. Be sure to speak with a trusted attorney to ensure that everything goes according to plan.
When it comes to temporary legal guardianship, there is also quite a bit of paperwork, as you may have anticipated. This is where having a credible attorney will come in handy. They can make sure that you’ve filled out all your paperwork correctly and that everything is fair, legal and ethical. This may not be the temporary adoption in Kansas you imagined, but this could be the path you were hoping to take.
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Adoption and guardianship aren’t always simple, but they can both be the best thing for yourself and your child. For any information surrounding adoption, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-ADOPTION. You’ll speak with one of our experienced adoption professionals, and we would love to help you at any time! You can also get free adoption information now.
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