My friend, Susan and her husband Bill, were happily living in Arizona. Both professionals in their field and living the good life except for one thing. They desperately wanted children. Both of them felt that their lives would be complete if they had children.

The couple researched infertility treatments and like most other couples, found that they are very expensive and very emotionally draining. Not to mention, tons of visits to the doctor’s offices with no guarantee of success.

Susan and Bill went through the whole infertility regime for 2 years and at the cost of approximately $10,000 before deciding not to resume more treatments.

A caseworker that Susan knew through her consulting work suggested another option, adoption. At this point, Susan was 26. They were unsure if this was the direction, they wanted to take. Domestic adoptions are usually quite a long process and do not provide much of a guarantee of healthy infant. By the age of 29, they decided to adopt an infant to bless their family internationally.

They had heard about some success stories of other couples adopting through South Korea, so they, after much prayer and contemplation, chose that route. They used Dillon International out of Arizona, because they felt that the organization was committed to the lifetime care of these children.

Dillon International is based on the concept and belief in the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. More research is available on Dillon International by going to http://www.dillonadopt.com.    

In South Korea, when a woman becomes pregnant she has the option of hiding the pregnancy until birth or go to one of the Korean Social Services until the baby is born. In South Korea several years ago, most birth mothers kept the pregnancy a secret. Society and their families could completely reject them and turn them out to the streets. If society and the families knew of the pregnancy, these women could and most times became unemployable and unmarriageable. If the biological father wanted to acknowledge the baby he would have the child listed in his family blood lines, because most families follow the teachings of Confucius and the blood lines are very important. These children are then listed on the family registry. 

Once the birth mother decides to check into an adoption birth home, she would relinquish her rights upon checking in. Most birth mothers relinquished their rights to the baby by either her signature or a red thumbprint on the documents in lieu of the signature. She is also asked to write a brief paragraph of herself and the biological father and divulge any family medical history if she so choose. With the lack of government documentation as it is here in the United States it is possible for the birth mother to give a fictitious name and/or not even mention the biological father’s name. 

Once these babies are placed in orphanages they are usually cared for by foster parents. These are usually of grandparent age. These parents are provided with the formula, diapers, wipes, etc. that they baby would need. They are responsible for making sure that the babies receive all the proper medical care and immunizations. These babies are emotionally, physically stable babies, and lack many of the issues that come with babies and infants that have been institionalized. Most children past the age of three are not available for international adoption and are cared for by foster parents, families of the biological parents or orphanages. 

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Most adoptions go smoothly; however, sometimes problems will come up. Although these issues will require some adjustments, they are not necessarily deal breakers. An adoption attorney or agency will know the best way to avert problems and whom you can trust in the adoption process. Adoption agencies and adoption attorneys handle many adoptions and can guide you through the process with minimal chances of problems occurring. There are some warning signs that you should look out for in the adoption process.

The warning signs for public adoption agencies could include:
• The caseworker not providing details or being vague about the child’s background.
• You are not given the opportunity to know the child’s medical background and status.
• The foster parents are not willing to work with you through the adoption process.
• The caseworker does not return phone calls in an appropriate amount of time.
• Your questions are not answered.
• You are not given the opportunity to get to know the child well before the adoption.
• You are not given the opportunity to meet the child before the adoption.

On private agency adoptions the warning signs are:
• The agency is unwilling or slow to provide references from prior adoptions that they have handled.
• You are not told the number of adoption that they have successfully administered each year.
• The agency is slow or does not return your phone calls.
• A large upfront fee is requested and no fee breakdown is indicated.
• The agency does not tell you or they are vague when the explain how it finds the birth mothers
• They agency is unwilling to give you complete information on the birth mother’s history and background.
• The agency promises a child faster if more money is paid up front.
• The agency pressures you to sign the agency agreement.

The warning signs for international adoptions are:
• The agency does not provide references when requested.
• The agency does not promptly return phone calls or is unable to answer your questions about the child, the adoption or the birth mother.
• The agency does not encourage or allow you to obtain a medical evaluation of the child you have chosen before finalizing the adoption.
• When traveling to the country from which you are adopting the child, the agency does not provide escorts, translators and interpreters.
• A large fee is required up front along with a small application fee.
• The large fee is not refundable if the adoption falls through.
• The agency is unable or not willing to allow you any information on the birth mother.

Most adoptions are successful and are a joyful process. The best defense against these problems is working with a reputable adoption agency or an experienced adoption attorney. The adoption process should be a wonderful experience for you and your family. A problem filled adoption process is very stressful for you and your family and can be averted by using an agency or an adoption attorney.