Wisconsin Adoption

Every state has its own adoption laws.

In the state of Wisconsin, adoption laws indicate that independent adoption is possible. However, a home study and any birth mother counseling must be facilitated by an agency.

Adopters in Wisconsin can expect a six-month wait between the termination of birth parents' rights and an adoption finalization. For infant adoptions, adopters can reimburse the birth mother for her medical, legal and agency fees. She may also be reimbursed for maternity clothes, travel fees and child care if she appeals to the court for approval.

A birth mother who signs over her consent of placement can only do so after birth and cannot revoke her consent afterward. The hearing for terminating parental rights takes place about a month after consent is signed and a petition for adoption is filed.

According to the Human Rights Campaign website, Wisconsin's gay and lesbian adoption laws are not as open as other states. Any single, unmarried adult is permitted to petition to adopt. However, it's unclear whether a gay or lesbian couple can jointly petition to adopt a child. Although, it's not likely. Gays and lesbians cannot adopt their partner's child in Wisconsin because it would terminate their partner's rights. This is due to the ruling in a 1994 case that a child cannot be adopted unless both parents have terminated their parental rights.