Adoption laws vary from state to state and are constantly changing. If you are interested in adopting a child, you should make it your business to know about adoption laws in light of the extraordinary media attention that has been given to adoption court cases in recent years. Many of these cases involved birthfathers who took an interest in their children after they had been placed for adoption by their mothers, thereby bringing the issue of birthfathers' legal rights to the forefront; others involved adoptive parents who did not follow proper legal procedures in completing their adoptions, and improper activities on the part of agencies.

In addition to court cases, it's important to know the general areas of important state and federal adoption legislation regarding (but not limited to):

• adoption of Native American children;
• payments made to placing parents;
• interstate adoptions;
• relinquishment & time to revoke consent

Be sure to check Adoption Laws and Legal Issues

1. Getting Started with Adoption
2. How Many People Choose Adoption?
3. Is Adoption Right for You?
4. Adoption Self-Assessment Quiz
5. Which Children Are Available for Adoption?
6. Sibling Groups
7. Who Can Adopt?
8. Qualification Requirements for Adopting Parents
9. Your Adoption Options
10. Agency Adoption
11. Private (or Independent) Adoption
12. Options in Independent Adoption
13. Adoption Facilitators
14. International Adoption
15. Foster Adoption
16. Stepparent Adoption
17. Transracial Adoption
18. Special Needs Adoption
19. Military Adoption
20. Making an Adoption Plan
21. Selecting an Adoption Professional
22. Getting an Adoption Homestudy
23. Adoption Costs
24. Why Do Costs Seem So High?
25. Help Handling the Costs of Adoption
26. The Adoption Tax Credit
27. Adoption Subsidies
28. Employer Adoption Benefits
29. Networking & Networking Tools
30. Legal Issues in Adoption
31. Evaluating Adoption Risks
32. Open Adoption
33. Breastfeeding the Adopted Child
34. Coping With the Wait
35. Glossary of Terms
36. Recommended Reading
37. Conclusion