Adopting in America: How to Adopt Within One Year

by Randall B. Hicks

"Showers the anxious parent with information on methods and resources for adoption." --American Library Association "Educational and empowering. No-nonsense, matter-of-fact advice while using a compassionate approach." --Publishers Weekly "A top adoption attorney reveals his insider strategies. Follow the clear road map in this book and you'll be on the road to parenthood." --Adoptive Families magazine Adopting in How to Adopt Within One Year (2018-2019 edition) fully explains not only independent, agent and intercountry adoption, but fifteen different subtypes (including the best - but little known - options (such as states that have the best laws and permit non-residents to adopt there). Adopting in America Keys to selecting the best agency or attorney; a review of each state's unique laws and procedures (When does she sign her consent to adoption? How long does she have to change her mind? What are the rights of the birth father? Et cetera) and lists adoption attorneys within each state, including their biographies; Special strategies to quickly locate a birth mother to select you for a newborn adoption; Spot red flags indicating a risky adoption; How to receive the $13,570 federal adoption tax credit; How to obtain free medical care for the birth mother; A detailed review of intercountry adoption (both Hague and non-Hague countries) and how to choose the best program; How to use adoption registries to learn about children waiting for adoption in the foster care system. Written by one of the nation's leading adoption attorneys, Adopting in America is written in a direct and easy-to-understand style. Appendices provide helpful organizations and resources to further assist in adoption planning and parenting.

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction, Parenting

398 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Sandy Champagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had a more recent edition of this book however my library only had the 4th edition published in 2004. Still, this was a useful resource particularly in the arena of finding a birth mother on your own. I also loved that there was a state-by-state reference and an explanation of legal issues and resolutions. I will probably try to find a newer edition if only for more up-to-date state info.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate the author's efforts to help families with adopting children, if you start a book off with Christian themes you are limiting your audience. I am Jewish, and I certainly don't believe that Jesus was an orphan as I don't believe in immaculate conception -- I believe in biology.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adopting in America: How to Adopt Within One Year (2018-2019 edition) by Randall Hicks is a detailed information of how to adopt. The book includes in the first part the how to due national and international adoptions. The second part goes state by state and gives very details information. There are a lot of things to know to get an adoption and laws to follow. Easy to follow and to read.

I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Tammy Hinkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adoption

Real great information. Helped me make a hard decision easy. Up to date information with website and links. Can't wait to get started.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a bit out of date, but it is a great starting point as to the laws and process behind adoption, and the many types of adoption and language associated with each. If nothing else, I have a way better idea of the types of adoption, where to start for each type, and what kinds of questions to ask. Definitely worth the read for that alone.

I skipped around a lot in this book, but I think that's what the author meant to happen. It's organized well so that if you're not considering international adoption, for example, you can skip over that part. However, that means he does repeat information a lot -- you'll notice if you read most of the book -- because he doesn't want people who are skipping around to miss anything. For someone who recommends considering attorneys on the basis of their written materials, his book does have a good number of typos, but I still trust the info to be true.

[Lori Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that showed us the way to our child when we thought there was no hope. Filled with wonderful ideas for self-marketing (and this was before Facebook, MySpace and blogging took over), it gave us great guidance on what to do to get the word out that we were looking to adopt. It didn't quite take a year, however. From the time we sent out our letters to the day she came home with us was 13 months. I highly recommend this book.

[Magda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely practical information on the administrative / legal, and also relational, aspects of child adoption. The focus is on domestic / US adoptions. Would love to see it updated since the apparent 2003 edition. (And I read the 1999, having found it at the library.)

[Kymberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really care for this book. It was way too overwhelming for me.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource.