any answers would be helpful...



and any information regarding legal requirements etc.. thank you all so much.

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Yahoo! Answers 4ever

We live in Arizona, and have adopted from Korea twice, and have had a wonderful experience.

We belong to a group called "Arizona Adoptive Families", they have an online group, and also have events and playgroups. There are familes who've adopted internationally, domestically, through foster-adopt, and those who are foster parents. I'm sure they could give you some good advise and information no matter how you choose to build your family.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Arizona_Adoptive_Families/

Good luck!

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Yahoo! Answers

We live in Arizona, and have adopted from Korea twice, and have had a wonderful experience.

We belong to a group called "Arizona Adoptive Families", they have an online group, and also have events and playgroups. There are familes who've adopted internationally, domestically, through foster-adopt, and those who are foster parents. I'm sure they could give you some good advise and information no matter how you choose to build your family.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Arizona_Adoptive_Families/

Good luck!

__________________
Yahoo! Answers

My friends in Arizona did an International adoption and I strongly recommend it.

They went through Dillon Southwest and they had an absolutely great experience. http://www.dillonsouthwest.org/

They adopted a little baby boy at 6 months of age. Today he is 11 and is absolutely the most inspiring, smart, caring 11 year in the World! He wants to be President of United States (although he knows he can't because he was not born in US) .. but that doesn't stop him ... he says he will settle for Vice President. :-)

Give Dillon Southwest a call and at least look into it.

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Yahoo! Answers

Call your state Child Protective Services office and ask for adoptions. They will likely send you a packet, or invite you to a meeting. But in general, here are the requirements for many states:

Job and job history - stable employment history
Salary - decent stable salary reflected on your tax returns, pay stubs and employment letters
Taxes - good history of completing verifiable tax returns
Marriages - usually look at number (less than three is preferable!) and length of current marriage (usually 3+ years)
Divorces - will need copies of the decrees, and names of exes, as well as explanation of reason for divorce
Children - children will be interviewed, even if live with you part time or if they are grown
References - must have personal and professional (therapist, rabbi, teacher) references who have known you both for 5+ years ideally
Medical - letters from doc stating no communicable or catastrophic ilnesses/diseases, and state that you are mentally/emotionally and physically stable
Mental - stability
Abuse history - from childhood on up, history and how you have resolved or coped with it
Arrests - if you have one, why and when, with details, and resolution, verified by criminal and child abuse background checks in all states where you have lived
Income - must be sufficient to more than just pay all bills and expenses, and not be in debt or bankruptcy
Pets - must be child friendly and up on all vaccinations and healthy
Home - must have a "home" -- not just a house -- can be an apartment or house, but needs to be organized, warm and child friendly and safe
Cars - do not have to be new, but need to be safe and dependable with approved car seats
Friends/neighbors - appropriate, not partiers and moochers
Family - need to be enthusiastic about the adoption for the sake of the child!
Counseling - history of marriage counseling and resolution, as well as mental health counseling and therapist's names and reports
Alcohol and drugs - no drug use and alcohol in strict moderation, and if have history of addictions, must have proof of resolution
Lifestyle - generally fit and appropriate for children, such as not a "clubber" or partier, no risky habits
Hobbies - what you do with your spare time
Religion/Spirituality - do not have to attend church unless the specific agency reqires it, and some birthmothers want only a certian religion or practice or the absence of it
Motivation to adopt - why and history of desire to adopt
History with children - caring for nieces/nephews or friend's children, or volunteer work documnted
Childhood - everything from your birth on up, such as family activites, discipline, parental roles, discipline, etc.
Family of origin - how close are you now and how often do you stay in contact, etc.
Marriage - stability and strengths and weaknesses, duration, usually at least 3 years
Sex life - normal, agreeable to both (indication of stability)
Exes - why ex relationships ended
Attitudes toward birthparents - caring, open, appreciative or want nothing to do with her (indication of attitude towards child as well)
Attitudes towards people of different socio-economic status - general attitudes reflect how you may see child, or birth parents
Attitudes about continuing contact with birthmother - open, semi open or closed -- most agencies will not work with families who want a closed adoption as this is not in the best interest of the child
Expectations of child - are the expectations realistic or not, such as must be bright and look like us (argh)
Health Insurance - must have adequate medical insurance for the child, as well as for selves

ETC.!! Good luck to you!!

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