Top Pros and Cons of Open Adoptions

Those who are looking to adopt a child should understand that open adoptions are now considered to be the standard form of adoption. In fact, 95% of adoptions are considered open adoptions. The process works to provide a better relationship between the adoptive parents and the child to ensure there’s a mutual agreement for less conflict or complications that can develop.

Pro: Medically Informed

Adoptive parents can have peace of mind knowing that they’ll be medically informed of the child’s health and well-being with an open adoption. Parents are provided an extensive medical history of the child and even obtain new information over time. It can be easier to care for the child both now and in the future if all of the details are disclosed in advance. Parents can also avoid surprises in the future if they aren’t left in the dark about their adopted child’s medical history.

Con: Extended Family

If there’s extended family that is involved with the open adoption process, it can complicate it for the adoptive parents. There may be more paperwork to fill out and submit if the child has siblings or comes from a Native American family. There can also be a higher risk of a legal battle if the extended family learns that the child is going to be adopted. Tribal members and siblings have rights that allow them to visit the child even if they’re not closely related to the individual. For adoptive parents, this could prove to be challenging and may require flexibility with working with the family members on when they want to spend time with the child.

Pro: Provide Adoptees With Information on Their Background

Open adoptions can offer emotional relief and comfort to adoptive children by allowing them to obtain information on their biological parents. Adoptees can have detailed knowledge of their background, which can provide them with access to their birth parents when they get older. The birth parents can be known and accessible, which can provide kids with information on their adoption story. For many children, this can help their emotional well-being and prevent them from having confusion about where they come from as they get older.

The adoptive parents will also have knowledge of the child’s family history, such as the birth parents’ characteristics. Those who choose to meet the birth parents ahead of time can be more prepared for the adoption process compared to not meeting the parents at all.

Con: Less Anonymity

In most cases, there’s less anonymity that comes with open adoptions, which can allow the birth parents to have full access and knowledge of the adoptive parents’ information. Some people may feel less protected with an open adoption. The birth parents may be able to access names, email addresses, and phone numbers. For some adoptive parents, this can be a concern and cause them to worry about if they’ll be contacted in the future by the birth parents. It can also lead to legal conflicts or issues that require the help of our NJ adoption lawyer.

Pro: Peace of Mind to Birth Parents

For birth parents who choose to put their child up for adoption, it can be easy to have a sense of loss when separating from their child. Open adoptions can offer comfort and peace of mind by allowing the birth parents to be involved in their child’s future. They can still have control over the process and avoid feeling like all communication or contact is completely cut off. For the child, this can also help their emotional development and help them thrive in their adoptive home.

Contact Cofsky & Zeidman to learn more about open adoptions and protect yourself through the process with the services of a legal professional. With the help of our NJ adoption lawyer, you can learn more about your rights. Call our Haddonfield office at (856) 429-5005 or our Woodbury office at (856) 845-2555 to speak with a legal counselor.