Birth Father FAQ With Adoption Choices of Kansas
As a birth mother, you may be wondering about the birth father’s role in the adoption process. The birth father is often left out in the adoption journey. On the one hand, the birth father may find it difficult to contact the birth father. On the other hand, she may not even know who the father is. Therefore, it may feel complicated to understand their role in the adoption process. At Adoption Choices of Kansas, we want to clear up any questions you have about what he does in an adoption. Understanding what a birth father can do is important for you during your journey. Here are 10 FAQs about the birth father during the adoption process.
If you need adoption help now, please call us at 877-903-4488, text us at 316-209-2071, or visit us at Adoption Choices of Kansas.
Do I need to have the birth father’s consent to place my baby for adoption?
Depending on your situation, yes–it may be possible for a birth mother to choose adoption without the birth father’s consent. It’s important to note that each mother’s situation is different. Firstly, a birth mother may not need to have the consent of the birth father if his parental rights are terminated. The court can legally determine him unfit to be a guardian, in which case you will not be required to have consent from the birth father to choose adoption. There are also other situations where this may happen, like if the father has neglected your child or refuses to be involved entirely.
This can be a difficult situation to face. If you are considering pursuing adoption without the birth father’s consent, we encourage you to reach out to your local adoption agency for help. Our caseworkers are equipped with the experience and knowledge to carefully assess your circumstances. We will inform you on how to put your child up for adoption, as well as provide you with legal counsel or attorney if need be.
What rights does the birth father have?
The birth father still does have rights in the adoption process, regardless if he is involved or not. He has parental rights if he can establish paternity. For example: if the father is married to the birth mother and the child is conceived during their marriage, this means that he can identify himself as the legal father/guardian. He may also establish paternity if it is acknowledged on the child’s birth certificate. There are many other classifications and alternative ways that the birth father can claim paternity. His paternal rights can include being notified of actions toward adoption and court proceedings involving the child. If he does not agree with the adoption of the baby, it is possible for him to block the adoption.
Can he stop me from putting my baby up for adoption?
While this legally can happen, it doesn’t mean that it will be easy for it to take place. For a birth father to block an adoption, he has to abide by legal regulations. Essentially, he will have to establish paternity as a legal father. Then, he may be able to block the adoption. For a Wichita adoption, the birth father will need to meet at least one of these criteria:
- Having the child’s birth take place while being married to the birth mother or within 300 days after a divorce
- Both the birth father and birth mother sign a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity that acknowledges the birth father on the birth certificate of the child.
- The birth father has actively supported the birth mother and the child during her pregnancy.
- And more
Adoption Choices of Kansas can help you determine the best course of action for your specific situation. We will be there for you and ensure that you will get all the help and assistance that you need. If you want to understand more about the birth father’s control in adoption, or you are wondering how to put a child up for adoption, please contact us at 877-903-4488.
What if I don’t know who and/or where the birth father is?
Like in the previous FAQ, it may be possible for you to proceed with the adoption without the birth father’s consent/approval. If he is unable to be located or contacted, our agency’s legal team will try and terminate his parental rights. This way, you are able to choose adoption without the birth father’s consent.
Is the birth father going to make decisions with me during the adoption process?
It is ultimately your decision if you would like him to be involved in the adoption process. Remember–you are in charge of your own decisions as a birth mother. You have our full support at our adoption agencies in Kansas. In an ideal situation, it would be beneficial to have both of you come to agreements together for the sake of your child’s future. Deciding on an adoption plan and an adoptive family can be stressful alone. The birth father can provide guidance and help you see all of your options during the adoption process. However, if you would not like the father to be involved, we will do the best we can to fully inform and assist you in your decisions.
Can the birth father communicate with the adoptive family after adoption?
Yes, the birth father may contact the adoptive family after adoption! If both of you agree, he may receive updates on how your child is doing in their new home. He may also maintain contact through phone calls, visits, and letters if you both choose open adoption. For further information on the types of adoption plans you can choose, we encourage you to work with one of our adoption counselors.
Will the birth father pay for medical expenses?
Medical expenses are one of the biggest concerns during a pregnancy. Regarding medical care, we can help you apply for Medicaid and attain coverage for your medical expenses if your insurance doesn’t cover them.
Will the birth father or I have to pay for child support?
Neither you nor the birth father will have to pay for child support after the adoption. When adoption occurs, the parental rights and responsibilities of the child are transferred to the adoptive family. You will not have to worry about being financially responsible for your baby anymore after adoption.
How can he support me during the adoption process?
Your adoption journey may not only be long and stressful, but it can also be mentally taxing. There may be a difficult path ahead of you, but you shouldn’t have to go through it alone. The birth father can support you throughout your pregnancy and the adoption process. To support you, he can be involved in the decision-making (i.e., choosing an adoption plan, doctor visits, and selecting an adoptive family). Having another person on this journey can help ease the burden and anxiety about the process.
What should I do if I need pregnancy help and the father is not here?
If you need pregnancy help and the birth father is not present, Adoption Choices of Kansas is here to guide you. Choosing adoption is not giving up. If you need unplanned pregnancy help now, Adoption Choices of Kansas serves birth parents statewide and beyond. We can help with teen pregnancy, financial assistance, difficult situations, and more. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call Us 877-903-4488 or Text Us 316-209-2071
