- S
Help Us Secure Emma’s Future Through Adoption
Dear Friends and Trusted Supporters,
I’m reaching out with a deeply personal request regarding Emma, a bright, resilient, and incredible 12-year-old girl I have had the privilege of raising. I have known Emma since she was seven months old, when I first became her babysitter. Over the years, our bond grew stronger, and in November 2020, I was granted sole custody. Now, I am ready to take the final step in making her my daughter legally—through adoption.
Why We Need Your Support
The adoption process requires terminating the parental rights of both of Emma’s biological parents. The path I am taking involves filing for Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) based on abandonment. The legal requirement for this filing is that there has been no contact from the biological parents for at least six months.
- Emma’s biological father has never attempted to contact her.
- Her biological mother last contacted us on September 9, 2024, meaning the six-month threshold for abandonment will be met on March 9, 2025.
Emma has long expressed her desire for this legal step, as her biological parents have genuinely abandoned her. She last saw her biological father when she was about four months old and her biological mother in February 2020. While our current custody arrangement keeps her safe, she and I both want to move forward without any lingering legal obstacles.
Why This Matters for Emma’s Future
While Emma is thriving in school and life, the lack of legal adoption still impacts her. Even though her biological parents have no custody, they still hold certain legal rights over her. For example:
- Travel Restrictions: If we ever wanted to leave the country for vacation, a passport application would require a signature from both biological parents. Even though we don’t have travel plans at this time, I don’t want Emma’s future to be limited.
- Educational & Life Opportunities: Emma is an ambitious and high-achieving student. She has come so far since moving in with me in 2020—she learned to read (years worth of reading skills gained in only a year) after consistently missing school before she was in my care, and now she is almost always making perfect grades. (Just to brag on her a bit, I'll add that despite repeating a grade level in 2021, she finished 5th grade with straight A's and is now attending an IB (International Baccalaureate) middle school. And even with 8 classes this past fall, she worked hard to finish the semester with 6 A's and 2 B's. She always astounds me, and I cannot explain with words just how proud I am of her.) I can see her being offered opportunities to study abroad or pursue scholarships that might require legal parental consent despite my already having full/sole legal and physical custody of her. Without terminating parental rights and pursuing legal adoption, her biological parents could still create unnecessary roadblocks.
The Financial Challenge
As a first-year teacher, a 2024 college graduate with my B.A. in Elementary Education, and a single parent, this process is financially overwhelming. In June 2024, I purchased my first home, which was a massive milestone for us. However, filing for termination and the subsequent process of adoption are costly.
The estimated total cost for terminating both biological parents’ rights and finalizing the adoption is approximately $10,000. The first significant expense is the filing payment and attorney’s retainer fee, which I hope to raise through this GoFundMe. I plan to meet with a lawyer next week to confirm specific costs and payment timelines.
How You Can Help
I am asking for support in raising enough funds to file the initial paperwork and retain an attorney. If we can meet this goal, I will update you with the next steps and payments needed.
Transparency Promise: If, for any reason, contact is made by either biological parent before March 9, 2025—thus resetting the six-month no-contact requirement—I will refund all donations immediately.
***A Private & Trusted Request*** (IMPORTANT-Please Read!)
For now, please do not share this publicly on social media. I want to ensure this remains within our trusted circle until after the six-month period passes and I officially file. If you wish to support us, please share privately with those you trust. (Examples: Via Email, text, word of mouth.)
*Please do not share on Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, etc. unless sent privately through messaging.*
Emma and I are incredibly grateful for any support, whether financial or emotional or for simply spreading the word privately. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you. Your generosity and kindness mean the world to us.
With love and gratitude,
Karen & Emma
Organizer
