If you are considering adoption, you will need to consider whether you will have an open or closed adoption. Each type of adoption comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. Each family involved in an adoption must determine whether an open or closed adoption is right for their family.
During the 20th century, it was common for adoptions to be closed. This meant that the adoptive parents and birth parents may never meet, and would have no contact once the adoption was complete. Often times, families involved in the adoption process would conceal the adoption from persons outside their immediate family. Since these adoptions were closed, the identity of the birth parents would be sealed and kept undisclosed from the child.
In today’s society, closed adoptions have become less common and open adoptions have become more prominent. An open adoption allows birth parents and adoptive parents to get to know each other prior to the birth of the child. Many times after getting to know each other, the families agree to maintain a relationship after the completion of the adoption. Some families agree to visits between the birth parents, adoptive parents and child at a certain time of year. Some families agree to exchange pictures and electronic communication regularly so the birth parents can watch the child grow.
Determining whether an open or closed adoption is right for you can be a challenging decision. The attorneys at Fletcher & Phillips can advise you on the pros and cons of each type of adoption, and assist you in deciding which type is best for you.
If you have questions about whether an open or closed adoption is right for you, please contact our attorneys at 904-353-7733.