Can anyone help with adoption research for a novel?

Hi, I'm currently trying to write a novel, (written about 30,000 words so far) and much of it is based on fostering/adoption. Whilst this is not the main story, it is integral to it, and I am worried about making it realistic and keeping the facts close to real life.

The main character of the novel and her little sister are adopted by the main family of the novel. I'm struggling a little with details, as I have no real knowledge of the adoption process. Questions I have include:
How long does it take (roughly, in the UK, or USA?)
What are the sort of criteria that someone adopting would have to fulfill?
In fostering a child, are the criteria similar?
Would adopted children, aged 15 and 3, be likely to take on the surname of their new family, or keep their old one?

Thanks to anyone reading this - if you could shed any light on the questions I can think of at the moment, I'd be really grateful. Also, if anyone is knowledgeable about the adoption process, and would be willing to give me their email address and allow me to email them if I had any other queries in the future that they may be able to help with, could you please let me know?

Thank you!
Additional Details
EDIT: also, if anyone knows of any websites that could help me (preferably not overly complicated with legal jargon!) they would be really useful.

How long does it take (roughly, in the UK, or USA?) anywhere from 9-24 months if you are doing a domestic infant adoption. if you are doing foster to adopt...could take longer or shorted just depending if the child has had the terminiation of the parents happen yet when they are placed with you.
What are the sort of criteria that someone adopting would have to fulfill?
ALOT! for most agencies the adoptive parent(s) must be atleast 25 and if they are married, married atleast 2-3 years. they must undergo a background check and have physicals done. they must do a homestudy where everyone living in the house has to be interviewed. they have to have personal references from friends who think if they will or will not make a good parent. if they are adopting in another state they will have to do an FBI background check...with depending on the number of requests that they get can take anywhere from a month to 3 to get back. once the child is placed in the home until the aodpiton is finalized you/or a social worker has to come and make reports on the adjustment of the family....30 days prior to finalizing (which in most states in a minimum of 6 mos. with the child placed in the home) the social worker has tom come and do interviews again...
that is just to list a few...all agencies are different they have more or less that you have to jump through before you can even be considered to adopting a child.

In fostering a child, are the criteria similar?
no, not really...you still can't have a crimnal record but the age for the most part doesn't really matter and the number of years married doesn't matter...you just have to show that you are stable.

Would adopted children, aged 15 and 3, be likely to take on the surname of their new family, or keep their old one?
yes.

good luck! my personal email addy is rrss3405@yahoo.com if you have any more questions....

btw: website:

adoptionplan.com/heybobo.com....

Linny G

http://www.nancyverrier.com/pos.php
http://www.adoptioncrossroads.org
http://www.amfor.net/killers/
http://www.origins-usa.org
http://www.motherhelp.info/index.htm
http://www.babyscoopera.com
http://www.keepyourbaby.com/the_primal_w...
http://www.cubirthparents.org/edd/index....
http://www.thegirlswhowentaway.com/

Looney Tunes

I have read this a couple times and I find your questions confusing and I think you need some more understanding of the fostercare and adoption process.

But first, are your children aged 15 and 3 being adopted from fostercare? Are they biological siblings?
If they are in fostercare, what/when were the reasons in your novel for their fostercare status?

The reason I ask is because the "time" depends on these things. For example, if TPR (termination of parental rights) occurs quickly, they could be adopted within a year. If TPR takes awhile, it could takes years for adoption.

Also, at 15, it depends. Many teens may not want to alter their names at that age.

You have alot of questions, but are missing alot of detail.

Email me if you need more information with better background details.

gypsywinter

Try a 'Google' search for your research.

tr90814

Go on Wednesday's Child website. It takes about a year or so to become an adoptive parent rather your single or married, criteria mainly consist of caring, loving, understanding, open-minded, and patience and yes one adoption process is almost complete children can by choice take on the family's last name.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: