While awareness about adoption seems to have grown in recent years, the number of international adoptions has steadily decreased over the last decade. There are many reasons contributing to this statistic, yet the number of orphans around the work continues to increase. Families in Georgia considering adoption can seek guidance from those in the family law field, who can take them step-by-step through the process.
One reason for the decline in international adoptions is the imposition of laws and bans by other countries. These may prevent all adoptions by those in the United States or other countries, or they may create challenging conditions for adoptive families to meet. Sadly, some children that have already been formally adopted had to wait for a year or two before their government allowed them to leave.
These facts can be disheartening to those considering international adoption. However, there are many places and ways that a family can adopt a child without facing these obstacles. Adoption saves many of these children from being trafficked and/or facing other corruption around the world.
Choosing to adopt a child makes a difference in the life of the child and the adoptive family. Adoption gives hope and provides a forever family for a child who did not have one. Georgia couples interested in adopting a child can gain information from various resources about the process at the international level. Ideally, an attorney who is familiar with applicable state and federal laws, as well as the laws of the child’s country of origin, will be able to offer ongoing support and guidance throughout the proceedings.
Source: washingtontimes.com, “Foreign adoptions by Americans reach lowest mark since 1981”, David Crary, Mar. 29, 2016
