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Making the decision to place a baby for adoption (or “give up a baby for adoption”) is one of the most profound choices you may ever face. If you’re an Expectant Mother considering adoption in South Carolina, you’re not alone in this journey. At Abiding Love Adoptions, we understand that this decision comes with many questions, concerns, and emotions.
This comprehensive guide will help you understand your rights, options, and the adoption process in South Carolina, empowering you to make the choice that feels right for your unique situation.
Your Rights as an Expectant Mother in South Carolina
As an Expectant Mother in South Carolina, you have significant legal rights that protect your interests throughout the adoption process. Understanding these rights is crucial as you consider your options for your unborn child.
The Right to Make Your Own Decision
First and foremost, the decision to place your baby for adoption is entirely yours. No one can force you to choose adoption, and you have the right to change your mind at any point during your pregnancy.
South Carolina law recognizes that this is your choice to make, free from coercion or pressure from anyone else.
Consent and Revocation
In South Carolina, you can consent to adoption at any point after your baby is born.[1] This protection ensures that you’re making this important decision with full knowledge of the law and your circumstances.
Consent can be revoked if the court finds that it is in the best interests of the child and that the consent or relinquishment was not given voluntarily or was obtained under duress or through coercion.[2]
The Right to Choose the Adoptive Family
You have the right to be actively involved in selecting the Adoptive Family for your baby. This includes reviewing Adoptive Family profiles, meeting potential families if you choose, and selecting the family that feels right to you.
Many Expectant Mothers find great comfort in being able to choose a family whose values, lifestyle, and parenting approach align with their hopes for their child’s future.
Birth Father Rights in South Carolina Adoption
Understanding the Birth Father’s rights is an important aspect of the adoption process in South Carolina. The law recognizes that Birth Fathers have parental rights that must be addressed during adoption proceedings.
Establishing Paternity
Paternity means legal fatherhood.[3] If you’re married, your husband is presumed to be the legal father of the child.
If you’re unmarried, paternity may need to be established through various means, including DNA testing or legal proceedings. You can also complete a Paternity Acknowledgement Affidavit to create a legal connection between the child and their Biological Father.[4]
Consent Requirements
Generally, the Birth Father must also consent to the adoption for it to proceed.[5]
However, there are specific circumstances under which his consent may not be required, such as if he has not provided support during the pregnancy or if he cannot be located after reasonable efforts.
Responsible Father Registry (Putative Father Registry)
South Carolina maintains a Responsible Father Registry or Putative Father Registry where unmarried men can register if they believe they may have fathered a child. This registry provides a way for potential Birth Fathers to receive notice of adoption proceedings.[6]
It’s important to discuss your specific situation with an adoption professional who can help you understand how Birth Father rights apply to your circumstances and what steps need to be taken to ensure a legally sound adoption.
Financial Support During Your Pregnancy
One of the most practical concerns for Expectant Mothers considering adoption is financial support during pregnancy. South Carolina law allows for certain pregnancy-related expenses to be covered by the Adoptive Family, which can provide significant relief during this time.
Allowable Expenses
Under South Carolina adoption law, Adoptive Families may provide financial assistance for various pregnancy-related costs, including[7]:
- Medical expenses related to pregnancy and delivery
- Reasonable living expenses for the Birth Mother
Legal Guidelines
All financial assistance must be reasonable, documented, and approved by the court.[8] This ensures that the support is legitimate and doesn’t constitute payment for the baby, which would be illegal. Your Adoption Agency will help coordinate these arrangements and ensure they comply with South Carolina law.
The South Carolina Adoption Process: Step by Step
Here’s how placing a baby for adoption in South Carolina typically goes:
Connect with an Adoption Agency
Start by reaching out to a licensed South Carolina Adoption Agency, like Abiding Love Adoptions. Reaching out to us is not an automatic agreement to make an adoption plan. We are here to explain your options, answer your questions, and help you decide whether or not adoption is right for you and your baby.
Make sure that your Adoption Agency and/or Adoption Attorney is licensed in your state.
Create an Adoption Plan
If you decide to place your baby for adoption, we’ll help you create a plan tailored to your needs—choosing the family, deciding on the amount of contact, and outlining any support you require. This is your roadmap, and you control it.
Consent to the Adoption
As stated earlier, you can consent to adoption at any point after your baby is born.
You have the right to your own Attorney. A reputable Adoption Agency and/or Attorney will ensure that you have your own Attorney to review the documents with you before you consent and, if you wish, be present for you when you do sign.
Follow Up with Post-placement Support
Your baby goes to the Adoptive Family, and any agreed-upon contact begins. You’ll also receive post-placement support as you adjust.
Emotional Support and Counseling
Placing a child for adoption involves complex emotions, and having proper support is crucial throughout the process and beyond.
Professional Counseling
Counseling can help you process your emotions, explore your feelings about the decision, and develop coping strategies.
Support Groups
Many Expectant and Birth Mothers find comfort in connecting with others who have had similar experiences. Support groups, both in-person and online, can provide understanding, encouragement, and practical advice from people who truly understand what you’re going through.
Ongoing Support
Your relationship with your Adoption Agency doesn’t end at placement. Abiding Love Adoptions and our sister organization, Abiding Love Charities, provide ongoing support services, including:
- Counseling
- Support groups
- Assistance with maintaining contact with the Adoptive Family, if desired
Why This Matters to You
Placing your baby for adoption isn’t “giving up”—it’s giving your child a future you’ve thoughtfully chosen. South Carolina’s laws protect your rights, ensuring you’re not rushed, coerced, or left in the dark. Knowing the law empowers you to make the best decision for yourself and your child.
You’re not alone in this—Abiding Love Adoptions is to walk beside you, offering resources and compassion, each step of the way.
Want to Place a Baby for Adoption in South Carolina? We’re Here to Help.
As an Expectant Mother considering placing a baby for adoption in South Carolina, you hold the power to shape this journey. The law gives you time to decide, options for support, and a voice in your baby’s future.
If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to Abiding Love Adoptions. We will listen, not push. Contact us to get started.
Disclaimer: Please note that Abiding Love Adoptions does not encourage the use of terms like “give up for adoption”. However, we understand that these are the terms used by Expectant Mothers to find Adoption Agencies, so we have incorporated them in this article.
Sources
- Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2021, October). Consent to Adoption – South Carolina. https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/consent-adoption-south-carolina/
- See source #1.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Establishing paternity. DSS.SC.GOV. https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/parents-families/establishing-paternity/
- See source #3.
- See source #1.
- South Carolina Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Responsible Father Registry. DSS.SC.GOV. https://dss.sc.gov/child-well-being/adoption/responsible-father-registry/
- Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2022, May). Regulation of Private Domestic Adoption Expenses – South Carolina. https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/regulation-private-domestic-adoption-expenses-south-carolina/
- See source #7.