Should I Have An Open Adoption in Illinois?

 Posted on July 28, 2020 in Family Law

Adoption is a beautiful gift that allows a child to have the safe, loving family he or she deserves. If you and your family are considering adopting a child, you likely have a myriad of questions about the process. One issue you may be thinking about is whether or not to have an open adoption. In an open adoption, the adopted child’s biological parent(s) continue to have contact with the child. The communication between the biological parents and the child may involve anything from a few letters or emails a year to frequent in-person contact.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Open Adoption

In a closed adoption, the biological parents do not communicate with their child or the adoptive parents once the adoption is finalized. In an open adoption, the biological parents continue to have some degree of contact with the child. There are certainly benefits to open adoption. The child may feel more secure and have a better sense of identity. The adoptive parents can benefit from the biological parents’ support and friendship as well as the ability to ask the biological parents questions about their family medical history. However, having an open adoption can also be tricky to navigate. The biological parents and adoptive parents may not see eye to eye about the child’s education, extracurricular activities, religion, or overall upbringing. Honest communication and firm boundaries are the keys to successful open adoption.

The Child’s Best Interests Must Come First

There are many different reasons why a child may be placed for adoption. In some cases, the child’s biological parents realize that they are incapable of adequately caring for the child. Other times, the child is removed from the home because the parents were abusive, neglectful, suffered from substance abuse addiction, or were otherwise a risk of harm to the child. The most important factor to consider when deciding the level of involvement the biological parents should have in the child’s life is the child’s best interests. If the child’s mental or physical well-being could be harmed by spending time with his or her biological parents, it may be best to limit the biological parents’ degree of participation in his or her life.

Contact a DuPage County Adoption Lawyer

Whether you are considering a relative adoption, private adoption, agency adoption, or international adoption, trustworthy legal support is essential. At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., we help families throughout the adoption process so that the transition goes as smoothly as possible. Call 630-462-9500 today and schedule a consultation with a Wheaton family law attorney from our firm.

Sources:

https://adoption.org/benefits-open-adoption

https://consideringadoption.com/adopting/open-adoption/open-vs-closed-adoption-an-honest-comparison/