- Am I eligible to have volunteer guardians take care of my baby?
- What do I need to do?
- How are volunteer guardians appointed for my baby?
- How do I choose the volunteer guardians?
- How do I know the volunteer guardians are right for me and my baby?
- Can I really change my mind anytime?
- Can I really get my baby back from the volunteer guardians?
- What is the difference between adoption and volunteer guardianship?
- How long does the temporary guardianship last?
- Can the temporary guardianship be terminated sooner than the time we originally agreed on?
- Who chooses my lawyer?
1. Am I eligible to have volunteer guardians take care of my baby?
If you are pregnant and don’t think your current circumstances allow you to raise your baby, but you think when your circumstances change then you will want your baby back. Yes, you are eligible.
Just call our phone number any time of the day or night. We will explain our options beyond adoption to you and make an appointment to meet with you. Volunteers are available 24 hours a day.
3. How are volunteer guardians appointed for my baby?
You choose the volunteer guardians and give them a medical power of attorney to care for your baby.
4. How do I choose the volunteer guardians?
We will give you all of the information that the Options Beyond Adoption Board of Directors approved volunteer guardians have provided. You will meet with the volunteer guardians of your choice and ask them any questions you want.
We will also provide you with the names of New Mexico attorneys who are willing to advise you on the legal processes to give medical powers of attorney and guardianship to your selected volunteer guardian. We recommend you select your attorney soon and discuss the guardianship issues with your attorney early in your pregnancy.
5. How do I know the volunteer guardians are right for me and my baby?
You choose them and meet with them often during your pregnancy and after delivery. You choose! After the baby is born and if you still want your selected volunteer guardians to care for your baby and they are still willing to become volunteer guardians, then you give them a medical power of attorney.
6. Can I really change my mind anytime?
Yes!! You can change your mind at any time. If you decide to keep your baby, then no guardianship is required. If you change your mind about these volunteer guardians being right for you, you can select other volunteers to be the guardians. It is your choice.
7. Can I really get my baby back from the volunteer guardians?
Yes! The guardianship is temporary to help you through a difficult time in your life. With the help of the loving, mentoring relationship that you will develop with your selected volunteer guardians, you are going to improve your life. When you are ready to care for your baby, then you can request your baby back. Again, consult with your attorney very early in your pregnancy. Your attorney will explain the legal process to you.
8. What is the difference between adoption and temporary guardianship?
In an adoption you give all your parental rights to the adoptive parents. In a guardianship, you retain your parental rights, but temporarily transfer your duty as a parent to care for your baby to your selected temporary guardians. When you are ready, you can reclaim your full parental rights.
9. How long does the temporary guardianship last?
We recommend you and your selected volunteer guardians work out a timeline for when you believe you will be capable of caring for your child. This time line will vary between your circumstances and the selected volunteer guardians’ circumstances. You and your volunteer guardians will work together and mentor together to help you meet your plan and be ready to raise your baby yourself. When you are ready to get your baby back, we recommend you consult with your attorney and make a written request to your volunteer guardians to return your child.
10. Can the temporary guardianship be terminated sooner than the time we originally agreed on?
Yes! Circumstances can change in totally unforeseen ways. Your circumstances can change to where you can care for your baby sooner than you thought. You can then request the return of your baby.
You understand that many unexpected and unforeseen things can happen to the volunteer guardians, you or your baby that may require the guardianship to change. Unforeseen illnesses, unexpected death or injuries, financial crises, and numerous other things could happen that may result in the volunteer guardians being unable to care for your baby. You understand and agree that it is your responsibility to be there for your baby and the volunteer guardians to help resolve any unforeseen issues that may arise. This could result in a change of guardianship. The new guardian could be you, if you are ready. You should discuss these possibilities with your attorney.
You choose! You can choose any lawyer you want. You can choose from our list or any other lawyer that you want. It is your choice!!! The lawyer represents you and only you. Again, we strongly recommend you contact an attorney as soon as possible ad very early in your pregnancy.
Options Beyond Adoption 