Five years ago, a number of American families joined the "Kyrgyz 65," a group that was to adopt a total of 65 orphans from Kyrgyzstan. However, soon after this group was formed, the country suspended international adoption due to allegations of fraud. In spite of the suspension, nine children were finally adopted out to American families last year, but not all of the adoptions have gone through.

The number of families on the waiting list has dwindled as many have given up waiting, but there are 16 families who are still hoping to adopt even though they have been waiting for over five years. Members of the remaining families state that they have bonded with the children and that they consider them to be their own children now. They are cautiously hopeful that the country's new social development minister, Edil Baisalov, will make changes to the process that will allow their adoptions to finally go through.

There are many different ways to adopt, and the rules and laws associated with adoption vary from state to state or country to country if it is an international adoption. Additionally, situations may vary depending on if family members, such as aunts and uncles or grandparents, are trying to adopt a child.

In Louisiana, an experienced family law attorney may be able to help people navigate the laws associated with the process. People looking to go through newer adoptions processes may also be able to benefit from speaking to a knowledgeable attorney who has helped people through adoption proceedings before.

Source: WWLTV, "For 5 years, US families pursue Kyrgyz adoptions," Feb. 1, 2013