Placement & Finalization

Placement
The day the child is physically placed in the prospective adoptive home is called his/her Placement date. The family and child, if of age, signs legal forms designating the family to be responsible for the child's medical, educational and financial needs from this day forward. Thereafter, an agency Case Worker will conduct two monthly Post-Placement visits until the adoption is finalized. The purpose of this phase is to assist both child(ren) and family with adjusting to the adoption. Post-Placement supervision is generally concluded within 6 to 9 months after the child(ren)'s placement.

Finalization
Adoptions are generally made final by the Superior Judicial Court system within 6 to 9 months after placement of the child in the prospective parent(s)' home. The finalization of the adoption occurs in either the county of residence of the family or the custodial county of the child. The family, child, their attorney and a Giving Tree Social Worker meet with a Superior Court Judge who reviews the petition to adopt and court orders the adoption. Once the adoption is finalized, the family applies for a new birth certificate for the child. The child is now a permanent, legal member of their new family and has all rights of inheritance as a birth child. The complete adoption experience averages about 8 to 12 months.