ADOPTION DISCLOSURE

THE STATE OF FLORIDA REQUIRES THAT THIS FORM BE PROVIDED TO ALL PERSONS CONSIDERING ADOPTING A MINOR OR SEEKING TO PLACE A MINOR FOR ADOPTION, TO ADVISE THEM OF THE FOLLOWING FACTS REGARDING ADOPTION UNDER FLORIDA LAW:

1.      The name, address, and telephone number of the adoption entity providing this disclosure is:

Hausmann & Hickman, P.A.
2423 Quantum Blvd.
Boynton Beach, FL  33426
(561) 732-7030

2.      The adoption entity, Hausmann & Hickman, P.A. does not provide legal representation or advice to birth parents, and birth parents have the right to consult with an attorney of their own choosing to advise them.

3.      With the exception of an adoption by a stepparent or relative, a child cannot be placed into a prospective adoptive home unless the prospective adoptive parents have a received a favorable preliminary home study, including criminal and child abuse clearances.

4.      A valid consent for adoption may not be signed by the birth mother until 48 hours after the birth of the child, or the day the birth mother is notified, in writing, that she is fit for discharge from the licensed hospital or birth center.  A putative father may sign a valid consent for adoption at any time after the birth of the child.

5.      A consent for adoption signed before the child attains the age of 6 months is binding and irrevocable from the moment it is signed unless it can be proven in court that the consent was obtained by fraud or duress.  A consent for adoption signed after the child attains the age of six months is valid from the moment it is signed; however, it may be revoked until the child is placed in an adoptive home, or up to 3 days after it was signed, whichever period is longer.

6.      A consent for adoption is not valid if the signature of the person who signed the consent was obtained by fraud or duress.

7.      An unmarried biological father must act immediately in order to protect his rights with regard to the child.  He must register his paternity with the Florida Putative Father Registry maintained by the Office of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health within the timeframes set forth in 63.062 and he must provide the child with financial and physical support by assisting the mother during her pregnancy and providing for the child after birth.  Section 63.062 prescribes that any father seeking to establish his right to consent to the adoption of his child must register his paternity with the Putative Father Registry no later than the date a petition to terminate parental rights is filed with the court.  If a putative father is served with a Notice of Intended Adoption Plan, he must register his paternity, file a parenting plan with the court and provide financial support to the mother and/or child within 30 days of service of the Notice of Intended Adoption Plan.  Any putative father may obtain a registration form through local offices of the Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics; Department of Children and Families, the Internet websites for these agencies, and the offices of the clerks of the circuit courts in the State of Florida.  The claim of paternity form must be submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics, Attention: Adoption Unit, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL  32231.

8.      There are alternatives to adoption, including foster care, relative care, and parenting the child.  There may be services and sources of financial assistance in the community available to birth parents if they choose to parent the child.

9.      A birth parent has the right to have a witness of his or her choice, who is unconnected with the adoption entity or the adoptive parents, to be present and witness the signing of the consent or affidavit of non-paternity.

10.  A birth parent 14 years of age or younger must have a parent, legal guardian, or court-appointed guardian ad litem to assist and advise the birth parent as to the adoption plan.

11.  A birth parent has a right to receive supportive counseling from a counselor, social worker, physician, clergy, or attorney, and such counseling would be beneficial to the birth parent.

12.  The payment of living or medical expenses by the prospective adoptive parents prior to the birth of the child does not, in any way, obligate the birth parent to sign the consent for adoption.