We have a close friend that is getting ready to deliever her baby in 3 weeks and she doesnt want it. What needs to be done? Do we need to go through the whole legal process or can she just sign over parental rights over to us? Please help and let us know what you know. Thanks!

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You will need to go through the legal process. If you want the child to be legally yours and to prevent any other problems down the road.

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you have do things through the legal process but you can do every thing through a lawyer. But Yes it needs to be done. You can have her give you the baby untill it is all done, so she does not have to take the baby home with her .

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It needs to be legalized. If she has second thoughts in 2 weeks or 2 yrs or 10 yrs she can have that child back b/c there was no legal adoption, therefore uprooting the child and everything it knows as home.Get a lawyer, do it legally, and enjoy your new addition.

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Call local adoption agnecies to get an Adoption Homestudy started. May take more than a month, and expect to pay $500-$1200.To be legal, make sure you either:1. Contact a local adoption agency and ask about an "identified" adoption -- they handle all the legals, diligent search, terminations, birthmother assistance and counseling. Expect to pay $3000 - $10,000.2. Contact an Adoption Attorney and ask for adoption services listed above. Expect to pay $3000 up + all allowable expenses. Do not:Give her any moneyTake the baby as your own until she has signedAssume the birthfather situation is a done deal unless he is present and you get DNA testing to prove he is the bio father.Do:Pay for counseling for her. She is a best friend now, but who knows what will happen later. Grief is a funny thing.Get the continuing contact agreement in writing and stick to it.Good luck!!!

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It sounds so harsh the way you said she just doesn't want it. That is awful. Does she have a reason for not wanting her own child? She took the chance of getting pregnant when she had sex. I think it sounds sad.

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absolutly go thru it all legally as possible now she might not want the baby. but whos to say in 10 years later she wants the baby back and you dont have leverage she will be able to have her baby back always cover ur ass

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Yes, to legally adopt you have to go through the entire legal processes. At minimum, you have to have a homestudy, and file a petition to adopt in court. Your state may have further requirements as well regarding the natural mom receiving counseling, etc.All you might be able to try (and if you're not family it may not work) is to get a temporary custody order while you're working on everything. This would not involve a full relinquishment on th mothers part, just a temp or interim guardianship order. You will need to hire an attorney ASAP to see what, if any, options you have. I would also hire your homestudy agency and get things started right away to show you are serious.I suggest, however, that she take the baby home from the hospital and try to raise him. As a good friend you can help her...maybe she's just scared or overwhelmed and needs a friend more than she needs to place her baby for adoption. If she still wants to relinquish she can do so anytime after birth and you can start the process.

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