4 Things People Get Wrong About Birth Fathers in Kansas
By Ryan Yau
You may be a birth mother looking to place your child for adoption in Kansas. If so, you might have some questions about the adoption process, and what role your child’s birth father should play. There are some misconceptions that are often brought up about birth fathers in adoption. For example, you may have been told that birth fathers do not help out in the adoption process. You may also be wondering about laws involving birth fathers in Kansas.
If you want your child’s birth father to be involved with the adoption, that is definitely possible. Understanding the role a birth father plays can help you be more informed when it comes to your adoption.
Birth Fathers in Kansas Can Play a Part in the Adoption Process
It is sometimes thought that the birth father does not help out with the adoption process. The unfortunate reality is that sometimes birth fathers areT unwilling to help out, but that does not have to be the case. Though the birth mother has to carry the child, the birth father can help by being a part of the adoption planning. With your consent, the birth father can be involved in creating a stronger adoption plan.
An adoption plan details your financial and medical requirements for the adoption process, as well as services like counseling. It also entails what type of adoption you want for your child. Your birth father can help by creating a plan that fits your and his needs for the adoption.
Of course, this is not something that you will have to do alone. Adoption Choices of Kansas provides you with the services of a specialist to help you with your adoption plan. They can inform you about different types of adoption, as well as the legal components of pursuing adoption.
Birth Fathers in Kansas Can Remain in Your Child’s Life
Another misconception is that the birth father (or mother) cannot remain in their child’s life after placing them for adoption. However, to do so is certainly possible. Whether you can visit your child depends on what type of adoption you choose.
In an open adoption, the birth mother exchanges contact information with the adoptive family. This allows you to keep in touch with your child’s family and even act as a role model for your child. The birth father may also want to play a similar role.
The opposite of this is a closed adoption. In a closed adoption, you can still choose your child’s family. However, the family members’ names will not be revealed and you will not receive their contact information. There are many different types of adoption, and your adoption specialist can help you decide which will be best for you.
The Birth Father Can Care Just as Much About Your Child
Of course, as the birth mother you create a stronger bond with your child. Through the nine months of pregnancy, you experience a special connection no one else can experience. But the misconception that the birth father has no reason to care about his child is untrue. He may also feel a connection, even if it has been decided that adoption is the best choice for all.
You Can Place Your Child for Adoption Without the Consent of the Birth Father
If you and the birth father have disagreements about adoption, you can still place your child for adoption in Kansas. The process will be more complicated, but rest assured that it is still possible.
Typically, the birth father has just as many rights as the birth mother. However, you can place your child for adoption without the birth father’s consent if any of the following conditions are true:
- The birth father’s parental rights have been terminated
- The birth father has abandoned or neglected your child
- The birth father is seen as unfit to parent by a court of law
- The birth father has chosen to not be involved with the child
- The birth father has failed to support you for six months before childbirth
In these cases, you will legally have the final say on what you choose to do with your child. If the case is unclear, or there are disputes, the best course of action is to seek an adoption attorney. They can help with any necessary legal proceedings and help you better understand your rights as a birth mother. Adoption Choices of Kansas can provide you an adoption attorney to answer any legal questions you may have.
In conclusion, birth fathers can definitely help out in the adoption process, despite some common misconceptions. The birth father can help plan the adoption and even stay in the child’s life if desired.
If you have any further questions about the role of birth fathers or any part of the adoption process contact us!