In an independent adoption, usually only the adoptive parents are represented because they pay the fees to the party arranging the adoption. The birth parents have no one to look out for their needs. Independents often advise birth parents to get their own lawyer, however, many birth parents cannot afford a lawyer. Providing Time for the Birth Parents to Make a Decision Illinois state law allows birth parents 72 hours to make a final decision on adoption after a baby is born. However, birth parents often need more time than this.
Agencies can take care of a child until the birth parent feel ready to make a decision.
In independent adoptions, the child is usually placed with the adopting parents while the birth parents make their final decision. Having the baby already with the adopting parents can make it harder for birth parents to make a decision that is in their best interests. Screening Prospective Adoptive Parents Adoption agencies always screen adopting parents before the placement is made to ensure that the child will be placed in a loving, stable home. In independent adoptions, adopting parents are often screened after the child has already been placed in their home. If it is discovered that the adoptive parents are unfit, the child will be removed from their home and another home will have to be found.