Every Journey Starts With a Conversation
There’s no single script for how an adoption plan unfolds, because every situation is different. The process typically begins with a conversation, by phone, text, or in person, where you can ask questions and start exploring what an adoption plan would actually look like for you. Nothing is decided in that first call. It’s simply the start of getting information, and you can call or text Angie any time at (941) 376-2009 to begin.
Building Your Adoption Plan
Once you’ve had time to think things through, you’ll start shaping your adoption plan: what type of openness you want with the adoptive family, and what you’re looking for in the family itself. Our Open Adoption Options page walks through the differences between open, semi-open, and closed adoption in detail, so you can decide which fits you before moving forward.
Choosing the Adoptive Family
Every family hoping to adopt through A Bond of Love creates a profile book describing who they are and what their life looks like. Once your adoption plan is in place, we’ll show you the profiles of families who match what you’re looking for, including any special requests around race, ethnicity, religion, or whether the family already has children. You choose the family. We’re here to help you find the right match, not to make the decision for you.
Your Hospital Stay and Signing Consent
You retain full custody of your baby through birth and up until you sign consent for adoption. Florida law allows you to sign 48 hours after birth or once you’ve received a written discharge order, and you decide how you want to spend that time in the hospital, including whether you want visitors or want the adoptive family present. Our Legal Rights For Pregnant Moms page covers this timeline and your rights in full detail.
Support That Continues After Placement
Once legal documents are signed, the adoptive family may receive temporary custody, with the adoption finalized in court a few months later. But our relationship with you doesn’t end there. Many of the birth mothers we’ve worked with since 1992 still reach out years later, not just for updates on their children, but simply to check in with our team. Our Adoption Counseling page has more on the ongoing support available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the adoption process take?
Timelines vary by situation. Some birth mothers reach out for the first time a day or two before delivery, while others start the process months into their pregnancy. There’s no minimum amount of time you need before your due date to begin, and our counselors can move at whatever pace matches your circumstances.
How do I find an adoption agency?
Look for an agency that is licensed in Florida, has been in operation for a meaningful length of time, and is transparent about its services being free to birth parents. A Bond of Love has been licensed and operating in Florida since 1992, with offices serving Sarasota and Tallahassee.
What questions should I ask an adoption agency?
It’s reasonable to ask whether services are truly free, who pays for your living expenses, whether you get to choose the adoptive family, what type of ongoing contact is available, and what support is offered after placement. An ethical agency should answer all of these clearly and without pressuring you toward a decision.
Whatever You Choose, We're Here
If you are unsure of your next steps, call our Sarasota office today at (941) 957-0064. This conversation doesn’t commit you to anything. We’re here to help you explore your options at whatever pace feels right for you.