What are legally free adoptions?

Legally free adoptions, or open adoptions, are when a family adopts a child without the need of an intermediary. This type of adoption is becoming increasingly popular as it provides families with more choice and control over their adoption process. In Hawaii, legally free adoptions are regulated by the State Department of Human Services. The process requires the birth parent to voluntarily surrender legal parental rights to the child, thereby allowing the adoptive family to become the legal parents of the child. This process can be done in a number of ways, including through private or public adoption agencies, courts, or through private and public adoption attorneys. Once the birth parent has legally and permanently surrendered parental rights to the child, the adoptive family then has the right to make decisions regarding the child’s care, such as education and medical decisions. Legally free adoptions are generally cheaper than traditional agency adoptions, as no intermediary is needed. Since adopting a child is a life-changing decision, the State of Hawaii has put in place laws and regulations to ensure that the process is conducted in a safe and ethical manner. This includes background checks on all prospective adoptive parents and post-placement visits from the state to ensure that the child is being properly cared for. To ensure that the child is placed in the best possible home, the State of Hawaii encourages prospective adoptive parents to research and become familiar with the laws and regulations governing legally free adoptions.

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