Temporary Adoptions in Arkansas are More Permanent than You May Think

You may be considering temporary adoption in Arkansas, but adoption is never temporary. If you are looking to place your child with another family temporarily, then you may benefit from considering a guardianship.

It is important for you to understand the difference between wanting to place your child with a family short-term and wanting to give your child a new, forever home through adoption. American Adoptions of Arkansas can help you do two things for your child through adoption that will be permanent:

1. Find a safe and loving, waiting adoptive family for your child to live with permanently.

2. Provide you with licensed adoption professionals to help you terminate your parental rights.

The adoption process is final and can only be revoked by the court system if they decide it is in the child’s best interest.

This may seem harsh and final, but when you know that adoption is right for you and your baby, then it can put your mind at ease about your child’s future. If you are considering permanent adoption for your child, you can contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist.

Still not sure if permanent adoption is right for you? Let’s talk about your temporary guardianship options.

I Want to “Give My Child Away” Temporarily in Arkansas

If you are struggling to raise your child in an unstable or unhealthy environment, you may be looking for a short-term option for your child’s care. In Arkansas, temporary adoption is known as a guardianship and there are important differences between the two processes.

Here’s what you can expect when you choose a guardianship in Arkansas:

Step 1: You must choose relatives or friends who agree to take care of your child temporarily. When you talk to your family or friends, you can let them know that you would like for them to care for your child short term because you still want to raise your child later. You both must agree on the temporary period of time which can be days, months or years.

Step 2: Complete a guardianship petition with the county circuit court where the child lives. The guardianship petition will ask you identifying details about you and your child and the reason why you are choosing to place your child with a family member or friend for guardianship. This also includes collection of medical records, home visits and background checks to ensure that your child will be in a safe environment.

Step 3: Submit a completed guardianship petition and documents to the county circuit court. After the court reviews your guardianship petition, a court hearing will be scheduled. During the hearing, the court will decide if your guardianship petition is approved. Once approved, you will receive a guardianship order to place your child with your chosen relative or friend temporarily.

A guardianship in Arkansas cannot be completed by an adoption agency because it is not a permanent adoption process. You can contact your local county circuit court for more information on guardianship in Arkansas.

What You Need to Know About Temporary Adoption in Arkansas [Why Adoption is Not Temporary]

The differences between adoption and guardianship can seem confusing, but we can help you learn the differences. Unlike a guardianship, adoption can be completed by a licensed adoption agency. Our adoption agency specializes in newborn adoptions, and we work hard to help prospective birth parents find permanent homes for their babies.

Adoption is not temporary. After adoption placement, your child will permanently live with a different family. Your child will have a forever home with their adoptive parents who will have full, legal parental rights to your child.

Let’s take a look at what you can expect during the permanent adoption process in Arkansas.

Step 1: You must work with adoption professionals, such as a social worker and adoption attorney. With American Adoptions of Arkansas, you get adoption support from our trusted adoption professionals at every step of your adoption process. These professionals must be licensed by the state of Arkansas so that your adoption is safe and ethical.

Step 2: Find your baby’s adoptive parents who will provide your child with their forever home. Our waiting adoptive families are looking to bring a child into their homes and into their lives permanently. They desire the opportunity to give and receive a lifetime of love as your child’s legal parents. When you choose your child’s adoptive parents, keep in mind that they will raise your child and be the best possible parents that they can be.

Step 3: Once you sign your adoption paperwork for consent, your child’s adoptive parents will bring your child into their home. The adoption paperwork for consent is the termination of your parental rights, which means you are no longer your child’s legal parent. You will not be able to raise your child because the adoptive parents that you chose for your baby have become their legal parents.

Prospective Birth parents choose adoption when they don’t have the means to raise their child or if they don’t want to be parents right now. Adoption provides the stability of a home and parents that are ready and willing to raise a child. If you believe that adoption is the best option for you and your child, you can call us at 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist today. You can also contact us online for more free adoption information.

Permanent Adoption vs. Temporary Guardianship [Which is Best for You]

There is no right or wrong reason to choose permanent adoption or temporary guardianship in Arkansas. If you need help deciding which option is right for you, we have created a list of pros and cons to help you think about how permanent adoption or temporary guardianship can affect you and your child’s future.

Pros for Permanent Adoption

Keep in mind that you will no longer be your child’s legal parent after adoption placement. You can think about the following pros for choosing adoption in Arkansas:

• Peace of mind in knowing you chose the best family for your baby

• Open adoption allows you to see your child grow up

• Knowing that your child is in a safe and loving home

• Financial freedom to focus on yourself and your future

Cons for Permanent Adoption

If you are not willing to terminate your parental rights to your child, then permanent adoption may not be for you. The following are some of the cons of choosing adoption in Arkansas:

• Loss and grief — while you will have access to free adoption counseling, it takes time to heal and move forward from the adoption grief process

• Legal rights to your child are terminated after adoption consent

• If you choose a closed adoption, you will not get to see your child grow up or get to know their adoptive family

• Potential conflict with the baby’s father, family and friends if they don’t support your adoption decision

On the other hand, temporary guardianship may appeal to you for different reasons. Keep in mind, after your legal guardianship terms have expired, you will be responsible for raising your child.

Pros for Legal Guardianship

If you know that you want to continue to be your child’s parent later, then a guardianship may be your best choice. Consider the following pros for guardianship in Arkansas:

• You maintain all your legal parental rights to your child

• You get the time that you need to seek help for your situation

• You choose who you want to be your child’s temporary guardian

Cons for Legal Guardianship

A guardianship is not meant to be a long term solution for your situation. Determine if you are willing to accept the following cons of a guardianship in Arkansas:

• You must continue parenting when your guardianship order comes to an end

• It can be difficult and stressful to return to a daily parenting routine

• Your relationship with your child’s guardian could change

No one can tell you if temporary guardianship or permanent adoption is better for you in your situation. Once you have reviewed the pros and cons of both, you can benefit from contacting friends and family who may be able to support you in your situation. You can also contact the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services for Temporary Assistance if your family needs help.

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