1.800.277.0747
info@abidingloveadopt.com
Explore Adoption in
Florida 
Pregnant and Considering Adoption in Florida?
At Abiding Love Adoptions, we help Expectant Mothers navigate the Open Adoption process with dignity, respect, and unwavering support. When you place a baby for adoption with us, you’re not just a case file, you’re our priority.
Your Rights as an Expectant Mother in Florida
- Licensed Agency Requirement: Your Adoption Agency must hold a license in your state. It’s illegal for unlicensed Agencies or out-of-state Agencies to work directly with Expectant Mothers in other states.
- Face-to-Face Meetings: You have the right to meet your Adoption Professionals in person. We believe this is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, and you deserve to look your Advocates in the eye and feel completely comfortable with them.
- Your Own Birth Mother Advocate and Attorney: You have the right to a dedicated Birth Mother Advocate who works solely for you. You also have the right to your own independent Attorney who will ensure you understand every legal document you sign.
- Choosing the Adoptive Family: You have complete control over selecting the family who will raise your child. You get to review profiles, meet potential parents, and choose a family that aligns with your hopes and dreams for your baby’s future.
- Post-Placement Support: Your care doesn’t end when you place your baby for adoption. You have the right to ongoing counseling, support groups, and advocacy after placement.
Can a Mother Change Her Mind About Adoption in Florida?
In Florida, you cannot legally consent to adoption until at least 48 hours after your baby is born.[1] This waiting period gives you time to process your feelings and make a fully informed decision.
Once you sign the consent forms after this 48-hour period, the decision is typically final. You can only change this if you prove in court that someone forced or misled you.[1]
The Adoption Process in Florida
1. Explore Your Options
Reach out to us by phone, text, or email. Exploring adoption is not a commitment to making an adoption plan. We’re here to provide information and support while you decide what’s right for you—with no pressure.
2. Get Personalized Support
Once you connect with us, you’ll be matched with a dedicated Birth Mother Advocate who will be by your side throughout your entire journey. This person represents your.
3. Choose Your Baby’s Family
Review profiles of pre-approved Adoptive Families. Take your time. Ask questions. We can arrange meetings so you can get to know potential families before making your decision.
4. Create Your Adoption Plan
Work with your Birth Mother Advocate and Adoption Attorney to design an adoption plan that reflects your wishes. This includes the level of openness you want, hospital preferences, and post-placement contact.
5. Legal Protection
Your Adoption Attorney will review all legal documents with you. This ensures that you understand your rights and that your interests are protected.
6. Birth and Placement
You decide who’s present at the birth and how much time you want with your baby in the hospital. We’ll support whatever decisions feel right to you.
7. Ongoing Support
Our relationship doesn’t end at placement. We provide post-adoption counseling, support groups, and advocacy for as long as you need us.
Why Choose Abiding Love Adoptions as Your Florida Adoption Agency?
We Believe in Your Ability to Make the Right Choice
We never use the phrase “give a baby up for adoption.” Why? Because no Expectant Mother “gives up on” her child.
No Expectant Mother “gives up on” her child. She decides that another path is best. We believe that adoption is a parenting choice. Only a mother who is not giving up on her child can make that decision.
Comprehensive Support at No Cost to You
When you’re pregnant and considering adoption, financial concerns shouldn’t add to your stress. All of our services are completely free and confidential. We can also help with:
- Financial Assistance: Help with pregnancy-related expenses
- Medical Care Coordination: Ensuring you receive the healthcare you and your baby need
- Housing Support: If you need it
- Counseling Services: Professional emotional support throughout your journey
- Legal Representation: Your own Attorney to protect your interests
- Post-Placement Care: Ongoing support after you place your baby
Open Adoption: Staying Connected
We specialize in Open Adoption. This allows you to maintain a relationship with your child and their Adoptive Family. You can:
- Choose how much contact you want (letters, photos, visits)
- Watch your child grow up
- Have peace of mind knowing your child is thriving
- Maintain your role in your child’s life story
We help facilitate healthy, lasting relationships between Birth Mothers, Adoptive Families, and Adoptees that honor everyone’s needs and boundaries.
Start With the Florida Adoption Agency That Puts You First
If you’re pregnant and considering adoption in Florida, you don’t have to make this decision alone. Whether you’re in the early stages of exploring adoption or you’re ready to create an adoption plan, we’re here to support you with compassion, respect, and expertise.
All services are FREE and confidential! Contact us to get started.
Remember: Exploring adoption with us is not a commitment to making an adoption plan. It’s simply gathering information so you can make the best decision for your and your baby’s future. You deserve to have all the facts, all the support, and all the time you need to decide.
100244660-CPA
our florida team
Florida Caseworkers Local Numbers
SERVING THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA
Phone: 1.800.277.0747
Direct Line: 912.596.8778
carrie@abidingloveadopt.com
Carrie's BIO
My Mother tells a story about me at the ripe age of 7. She found me pacing up and down the driveway with my suitcase full of necessities (i.e. dolls, toys, etc) in hand. A family friend happened to be out for a run and stopped me thinking I was planning to run away. He asked: “Carrie, what are you doing?” With the innocence of a 7 year old I simply answered “Mr. Stan don’t you know Jesus is coming? Are you ready?”
And with that I seem to have never stopped asking the same question to all who would listen. As I grew older I realized simply loving people was more effective than words – but when God opened the doors the question remained the same – Are you Ready?
I graduated from Wheaton College with degrees I would never use, but my time at Wheaton furthered my passion for others and a thirst to discover how my talents & passions fit into the body of christ.
My sweet husband, Gil, and I married fresh out of college. Only three months into our marriage when literally I woke him up in the middle of the night to say “God is calling me to go to Law School.” His response was as surprising as my impromptu announcement – He said “me too.” And with that we quit our jobs and went to Mercer University School of Law together. Throughout our time at Mercer I admit I was jealous of Gil. He was focused. He knew his calling was towards Tax law and Estate Planning. For three years I continually asked God “Are you sure I heard you right?” “Why am I here?” His steady voice continued to say “Just wait.”
After Graduation, I worked for a small general practice law firm in Savannah, Georgia. I was blessed with great partners who genuinely loved me, but I was lost – still not knowing why God had called me to practice law.
Within my first year of practice, I had my first Adoption case and a fire inside me started burning. Shortly afterwards The Murray Nellis Law Group was born. I quickly became involved in Juvenile Court cases and saw an opportunity to serve my clients by not only fighting for them inside the courtroom, but by loving them outside the courtroom walls as well. But as many do, I became disillusioned with the Juvenile System that so many times it fails our children and Birthparents. The Lord showed me that through Open Adoption children would have an opportunity for a stable safe upbringing and Birthparents would have the opportunity to reclaim their dignity and know what it means to be truly loved.
And so one thing lead to another – years have gone by and the Lord allowed my law practice to become exclusively centered around Adoption Law.
For years I have had the opportunity to work alongside Vicki, but in 2016, the Lord called us to start Abiding Love Adoption Agency. It is our passion to serve Birthparents and to serve them well by loving them FIRST! I consider it an honor that God chose me to love on such special women and men during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Lori 's BIO
Kirsten's BIO
I am a true Floridian, born in Ft. Myers and moved to Lake city at age 6. I have been in living in the Ocala area for the past 10 years and absolutely love it here. I am a mommy to 3 wonderful children who are my absolute life. I have 2 dogs, many chickens, and a bearded dragon. I love spending my extra time camping and boating with friends and family. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it is that God is with me in every storm I come across and continues to follow me in all my journeys. I am so grateful for His love. I am so proud and thankful for being able to be a part of this wonderful mission and to help in any way I can.
Morgan's BIO
The Sánskrit word, Antevasin, means “one who lives at the border,” an “in-betweener,” constantly between old thinking and new understanding, which is how I’d best describe myself: living between two worlds. I was raised to be a proper Southern debutant, yet I knew there was more to life than the deep South, so I sought to explore the world. My varied life experiences and cultural perspectives have given me the gift of being objective, kind, and understanding of the needs of others. I’m not afraid to dive into serious and sometimes complex topics with people I just met. I’ve learned being vulnerable and respectful can lead to meaningful conversations and connections, all because there is a mutual understanding of the importance of each being seen and heard. There is space to understand “tradition” and question the why. There is power in inclusion and value in listening and learning from others. Last time I checked, ALL are welcome at Jesus’ table.
When faced with an unexpected pregnancy in 2006 and 2014, both times, the immediate feeling of panic, being overwhelmed, and confusion about what was the right thing to do consumed me. My first pregnancy ended in an abortion. I sought answers during my second pregnancy, determined to do what would be best for all. There’s so much nonsense on the internet, and everyone wants to tell you what they think you should do when all I desired was someone to have an in-person, non-biased conversation with me to understand my options and learn what open adoption was all about. Rational, hard decisions needed to be made, and I couldn’t do that while in a crisis mentality. Often, when emotions take over decisions, regret follows. There was never the question of wanting my child, but what was best for my child. It’s tough to humble oneself and admit to feeling incapable of parenting. A true parent’s love is willing to sacrifice their wants and needs for what’s best for their child. This bittersweet decision was no different. Open adoption has led to an incredible relationship with my son and his family. It is essential to recognize that we all hold space for our grief, yet the peace with my decision, communication, and love among us all provides balance.
Fifty percent of pregnancies are unexpected, which means half of pregnant women experience some kind of crisis. No one should have to make this journey alone. Life as she knew it is no more, and some hard decisions are ahead. As an advocate for women and our rights, I’ve joined the Abiding Love team to amplify her voice and provide a safe space to walk alongside, listen, have hard conversations, and empower her to ensure she knows all her rights in determining what’s best for her and her child.
Never Alone. Never Forgotten. Always Loved. ~ Abiding Love
Our Locations
Miami Beach, Florida
305-614-7950
Boca Raton, Florida
561-677-9107
Panama City Beach, Florida
850-660-9170
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to place a baby for adoption in Florida?
Nothing. All services are free to you. In fact, Florida law allows Adoptive Families to help with certain pregnancy-related expenses.
What if I'm not sure adoption is right for me?
That’s completely normal. We offer options counseling to help you explore all your choices, so you can make a fully informed decision. We will never pressure you to choose adoption.
Can I change my mind before the baby is born?
Absolutely. Until you sign consent forms (which can’t happen until at least 48 hours after birth), you can change your mind at any time.
Will I ever see my child again?
In an Open Adoption, yes. You can maintain whatever level of contact feels right to you and works for the Adoptive Family.
Sources
- Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2021, October). Consent to Adoption – Florida. https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/consent-adoption-florida/