Can I get help with my living expenses during my pregnancy in an Ohio adoption?

In Ohio, an expectant mother may accept money for medical expenses, adoption services, legal services, and living expenses not exceeding three thousand dollars for the birth mother that are incurred during pregnancy through the sixtieth day after the date the minor is born and paid by the petitioner to the birth mother through the attorney or agency arranging the minor's adoption”

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5103.055 (2020)

Will I be offered my own Ohio adoption lawyer?

A person seeking to adopt a minor shall utilize an agency or attorney to arrange the adoption. Only an agency or attorney may arrange an adoption. An attorney may not represent with regard to the adoption both the person seeking to adopt and the parent placing a child for adoption”

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3107.011(A) (2020) 

How does Open Adoption work in Ohio?

Open adoptions in Ohio are not enforceable and at the request of a person that withdraws from an open adoption, the court may bar the other party from bringing any action to enforce the agreement. An open adoption, entered into voluntarily, may provide for the exchange of information including identifying information, but may not allow the birth parent to share parental authority with the adoptive parent, deny the adoptive parent access to the birth parent’s social or medical history, deny an entitled adoptive parent or child access to the adoption file, deny access to certain accessible information under the law, or make the agreement enforceable.

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3107.62, 3107.63, 3107.65 (2020)

Click here for a map showing which states enforce open adoption agreements.

How does the legal process for adoption work in Ohio?

Consent may be made seventy-two hours after the birth of the child in the presence of the court.

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3107.08, 3107.081 (2020)

How long will I have to change my mind about adoption in Ohio?