| It is difficult to think of a more exciting time for a | | | | adoption, including: |
| family than the moment of receiving a new child. For | | | | - The adoptive child's age |
| adoptive parents, the joy of adding a family member | | | | - Whether the birth parents met or knew the |
| comes after a carefully planned legal process that | | | | adoptive parents prior to the adoption |
| may be conducted privately or through an agency. If | | | | - The proximity of the adoptive and biological parents |
| you are considering adopting a child, there are many | | | | to one another |
| options available to you. One important factor that | | | | - The preferences of both the adoptive and birth |
| you should consider prior to seeking adoption is how | | | | parents |
| you feel about open adoption versus closed adoption. | | | | An adoption does not have to be completely open or |
| The Differences Between Open and Closed Adoption | | | | completely closed. An adoptive family may choose a |
| A completely open adoption occurs when the birth | | | | middle ground with the biological parents, such as |
| parents and the adoptive parents meet and maintain | | | | sending occasional letters to the child, waiting until a |
| contact throughout the adoptive child's life, allowing | | | | certain age to meet the birth parents, or deciding |
| the child to get to know his or her birth parents while | | | | whether or not to meet in person while the child is a |
| legally being the child of the adoptive parents. A | | | | minor. |
| closed adoption, on the other hand, means that the | | | | The most important factor for deciding on an open |
| adoptive parents do not have contact with the | | | | or closed adoption is making sure that the decision is |
| biological parents and the biological parents are not | | | | one that both sets of parents agree on. Making this |
| involved in the adoptive child's life. A closed adoption | | | | decision clear early on can prevent much heartache, |
| is also known as an anonymous adoption. | | | | misunderstanding, and potential legal trouble later in |
| In the case of either an open or closed adoption, an | | | | the child's life. |
| adoptive family can choose to conduct the adoption | | | | How a Lawyer Can Help |
| privately or through an agency, within a family or | | | | An adoption lawyer can help adoptive parents and |
| between unrelated individuals. When an adoptive | | | | birth parents arrange an agreement that clearly |
| family opts to not use an agency, often family, | | | | defines how each person will be involved in the child's |
| friends, medical professionals, and lawyers are | | | | life. Consulting with an attorney helps support the |
| involved and assist with the adoptive process. | | | | legitimacy of any arrangement and could protect you |
| How to Choose Between Open and Closed Adoption | | | | and your child should any legal dispute arise in the |
| Open adoptions and closed adoptions are different | | | | future. For more information on adoption procedures, |
| ways of raising an adoptive child. Deciding on one | | | | please visit the website of Austin, Texas adoption |
| over the other depends on the details of the | | | | lawyers Slater Kennon & Jameson, LLP here. |