Closed vs Open Adoptions: Which is Right for You?
While adoption isn't for everyone, for many families it provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to welcome another child into their lives and for a child to become a part of a loving, supportive home she may not otherwise have had. Since adopting a child will change your life forever in inexplicable (and in many unexpected) ways, it is important to give careful consideration to all aspects of the process before deciding to move forward with it. This week, our family attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you examine one aspect you will need to consider about the process: closed vs open adoptions.
Closed Adoptions
When most people think of the adoption process, they think of closed adoptions. In the past, virtually every adoption that took place was a closed adoption. It is only relatively recently that open adoptions have begun to be more common among certain families. While there is a growing trend in the United States away from closed adoptions, this is still typically the procedure used for international adoptions and in many domestic adoptions as well.
In a closed adoption, there is typically very little contact between the adoptive parents and the birth parents prior to the adoption taking place. The adoptive family uses an adoption agency to find a child in need of a home, and the agency acts as the liaison between the adoptive family and birth family from start to finish. Once the adoption is finalized, the files are physically sealed and there is zero contact between the two families. While in some cases it is possible for people (such as the adopted children after they become adults) to reopen these closed files to gain information regarding the birth family, the process is often difficult.
Open Adoptions
As we mentioned, there is a growing trend towards the open adoption method in the States. In an open adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive parents have an opportunity to meet and interact (often several times) prior to an adoption taking place, especially if the child has not been born yet. The birth parents may have an opportunity to provide their input on which adoptive family they feel the most comfortable with, and the adoptive family may have the opportunity to be present at the baby's birth.
After the adoption has been finalized, there may still be an open line of communication between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. It is typically up to each individual family how they wish to handle the situation, but the two families may choose to remain in contact for several years (especially during birthdays and holidays).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Adoptions
Though there is a growing trend toward open adoptions, many people are initially surprised to learn about this relatively new option. While they may seem a little "unconventional" at first, open adoptions may be a great solution for families wishing to avoid the stress, combativeness, and countless unknowns that often accompany the adoption process.
Open adoptions allow the birth parents to know and feel comfortable with the family that will be raising their child, and they allow the adoptive parents to get a better understanding of where their child comes from and the reason(s) she was put up for adoption. As the child ages, the adoptive parents may be better equipped to answer her questions about why she was adopted. If both parents are able to remain amicable, it may ease the confusion, shame, and unanswered questions that the child may otherwise face about her past.
The primary drawback to open adoptions is the concern that the birth parents may try to remain overly involved in their child's life. Some adoptive parents worry that if open lines of contact are allowed to persist, the birth parents may eventually attempt to regain custody of the child or that the child may be confused about which set of parents actually fill the roles of "mother" and "father."
Which Is Right For You?
If you are considering pursuing an adoption and wondering which option will be best for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our Lake of the Ozarks family attorneys. We have experience working with adoptive families and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the process. We can help you evaluate the pros and cons in order to help you determine which option will be best for your specific situation.
To learn more about our family law services in Central Missouri, visit our website: www.pmcwlaw.com
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
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Closed Adoptions
When most people think of the adoption process, they think of closed adoptions. In the past, virtually every adoption that took place was a closed adoption. It is only relatively recently that open adoptions have begun to be more common among certain families. While there is a growing trend in the United States away from closed adoptions, this is still typically the procedure used for international adoptions and in many domestic adoptions as well.
In a closed adoption, there is typically very little contact between the adoptive parents and the birth parents prior to the adoption taking place. The adoptive family uses an adoption agency to find a child in need of a home, and the agency acts as the liaison between the adoptive family and birth family from start to finish. Once the adoption is finalized, the files are physically sealed and there is zero contact between the two families. While in some cases it is possible for people (such as the adopted children after they become adults) to reopen these closed files to gain information regarding the birth family, the process is often difficult.
Open Adoptions
As we mentioned, there is a growing trend towards the open adoption method in the States. In an open adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive parents have an opportunity to meet and interact (often several times) prior to an adoption taking place, especially if the child has not been born yet. The birth parents may have an opportunity to provide their input on which adoptive family they feel the most comfortable with, and the adoptive family may have the opportunity to be present at the baby's birth.After the adoption has been finalized, there may still be an open line of communication between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. It is typically up to each individual family how they wish to handle the situation, but the two families may choose to remain in contact for several years (especially during birthdays and holidays).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Adoptions
Though there is a growing trend toward open adoptions, many people are initially surprised to learn about this relatively new option. While they may seem a little "unconventional" at first, open adoptions may be a great solution for families wishing to avoid the stress, combativeness, and countless unknowns that often accompany the adoption process.
Open adoptions allow the birth parents to know and feel comfortable with the family that will be raising their child, and they allow the adoptive parents to get a better understanding of where their child comes from and the reason(s) she was put up for adoption. As the child ages, the adoptive parents may be better equipped to answer her questions about why she was adopted. If both parents are able to remain amicable, it may ease the confusion, shame, and unanswered questions that the child may otherwise face about her past.
The primary drawback to open adoptions is the concern that the birth parents may try to remain overly involved in their child's life. Some adoptive parents worry that if open lines of contact are allowed to persist, the birth parents may eventually attempt to regain custody of the child or that the child may be confused about which set of parents actually fill the roles of "mother" and "father."
Which Is Right For You?
If you are considering pursuing an adoption and wondering which option will be best for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our Lake of the Ozarks family attorneys. We have experience working with adoptive families and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the process. We can help you evaluate the pros and cons in order to help you determine which option will be best for your specific situation.
To learn more about our family law services in Central Missouri, visit our website: www.pmcwlaw.com
Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
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Camdenton, MO 65020 GET A MAP
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