have a friend who wants to release her baby to me at the moment the baby is in fostercare

If the child is born and the baby is taken into foster care immediately from the hospital, the bio mom can suggest you as a placement, but that doesn't guarantee you as placement. The baby may be put with a licensed foster home until a home study can be done on you and your family. This could take months and you would not be allowed visits with the child as you are not the bio parent. She should make her wishes known to the judge, but that doesn't mean that you will get the baby.

If she does want to sign her rights away and have you to adopt the child, you need an attorney. Call and find out what your/her options are asap. PS-Do you want to adopt her child? What will your relationship be after the chidl is born? Are you good friends now? You may need some counseling in this area to make sure you are ready for this big decision.

if you are already approved through fostercare system- this will help
are you?

you need a lawyer

Yes hire an attorney if this is a long term situation which will lead to adoption. The lines have to be clear. Is she picking you because she thinks you will bypass court orders and let her have access to this child? If so I would stay out of it.

I just re-read this. You don't say adoption at all. She wants the baby released into your care so that you can raise him/her until.....? Until she's able to? I'm not sure you'll get the baby at all. If she has an open CPS case, you need to have her tell the CW that they need to do a home study on you. Is she wanting you to adopt the baby? There just seems to be more to the story than I am understanding. Let us know how it goes. I'm curious as to how it will turn out.

yes

Yes, you should have an attorney to advise you on what will need to happen.

She is wanting to sign a termination of parental rights? And you are planning on adopting?
Yes, you need a lawyer.

I second what Doodlebopfan said. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it will help if you go through the process to get approved as foster parents.

yes of course you do

Definitely