By Anna Keller

If you are looking into adoption in Las Vegas, and are a victim of domestic violence, then this article may help you. If you are wondering whether the biological father of your child has to play a role in your adoption plan, then keep on reading. On top of feeling hurt and betrayed, you may also feel confused and overwhelmed. What happens now that I could be giving up a child for adoption? For victims of domestic violence, their situation is unique. They need to be able to prove in court that the birth father is incapable of being a parent. You may wonder if the birth father can get away with stripping you of your adoptive rights if he has a clean record. Or if choosing adoption in regards to domestic violence is right for you. Well, that is not the case. Even if his record is clean, he can still be proven guilty of abuse. If you carry physical manifestations of violence from your partner, then you can use that to your advantage. Furthermore, if the birth father abuses drugs or alcohol, that automatically deems him an unfit parent in the eyes of the law.  

Another way the birth father can be excluded from giving consent to adopt is through a mental screening. If he is proven to be mentally or emotionally ill, then this will also prevent his input from being legitimized. Not in every case, but in many cases, drug or alcohol abuse is linked with mental illness. You may find that the birth father meets more than one of these criteria.  

Working with Out Local Adoption Agencies Regards to Domestic Violence

Adoption in Las Vegas follows these rules, and there are agencies on your side, such as Adoption Choices of Nevada. This local adoption agency in Nevada is on your side. Adoptive specialists and social workers are ready to help you start your journey. They will help you through every step of the adoption process. Adoption in Nevada, like any state, consists of as much emotional support as you need during your pregnancy.  

You may feel lonely in this process without the company of a second parent, but you can find support in plenty of other places. For instance, one of the guarantees of the adoption agency is counseling support. You will meet with a licensed professional who will be there for you whenever you need to talk about your feelings. Anything that’s on your mind is fair game, and they are trained to give you advice that will help you throughout your pregnancy.  

What Happens Next in the Adoption Process?  

Now that you know that the birth father’s consent is not needed to proceed with an adoption, you can take the next step forward. You will begin the process by meeting with your social worker, who will begin setting you up with everything you need. Before you begin matching up with adoptive families, you will speak with your social worker about your eligibility for financial support. If you do not have health insurance, then you will find an alternative method to pay for your medical expenses. These include ultrasounds and other pregnancy-related visits.

This depends on your pregnancy because every pregnancy is different. You will need to speak with your specialist to determine your eligibility for these benefits. Coverage also may include transportation to and from these appointments, as well as rent and food. Additionally, if you need transportation to other necessary places, such as the food stamp office, then that may also be provided.  

The Prospective Adoptive Family and Weight of Your Decision 

Next is the matchup with the prospective adoptive parents. Once you find a family that matches your vision for your child, you will schedule a time with your social worker to meet them. You do not have to disclose the details of your situation to them unless you want to. They are not required to know anything more than that you are giving a child up for adoption. The rest is up to you. What is important to know about this process is that you are in control and decide everything. You even have a window of time to withdraw your decision to part with your baby. It’s three days after you are discharged from the hospital. Once that time period is up, however, your decision is final.  

You are not Alone in Your Adoption Journey

Understandably, adoption is not an easy choice to make, which is why this window exists in the first place. It’s so that you can have some time to think clearly once the stress of giving birth has worn off. You are able to fully think through the weight of your decision and come to peace with it. And if you want the adoptive family in the delivery room with you, you may be able to do that. You will have to check with the rules of the hospital you select since they are subject to change. COVID and other risk factors may prevent this from happening, but it is worth looking into.  

The most important thing to remember about your situation is that you have nothing to be ashamed of. You are not alone, and you will be supported fully through this process. Even if you are young, for instance, and your immediate family is not on board, you will still find support in the agency. The agency has people who have personal experience with adoption who can offer invaluable advice and insight. You may feel scared, and that is completely normal. The first step is reaching out, and that can be really scary. But if you are considering adoption, we highly encourage contacting an agency. That can be one of the scariest parts because you are essentially ripping the bandaid off. But once you do it, you may feel much better than you anticipated.  

Adoption Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. You can call us to speak to someone now. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).