What is the difference between an open and closed adoption?

Louisianans who are considering adoption have a lot to think about. There are, of course, the financial ramifications of bringing a child into the family, but there are also other matters that can play a pivotal role in whether an adoption is successful. One of the key factors is determine whether the family wants an open or closed adoption.

What is the difference? With a closed adoption, there is no contact between the biological parents and neither the adoptive parents nor the child once the adoption is finalized. In many closed adoptions, the child does not know who his or her biological parents are. An open adoption, on the other hand, the biological parents maintain contact with the child and the adoptive parents, and they may even play an integral part in the child’s life even though he or she has a new family.

So which type of adoption should a Louisiana family choose? It depends on the circumstances. Each type has its benefits and disadvantages. For example, some adoptive families find open adoptions threatening and may be concerned that the child will have troubles distinguishing between who are his or her parents. Yet, an open adoption can allow adoptive parents to give their child valuable insight into who they are and where they came from. An open adoption may also remove some of the mystery of adoption, and may shed light on important issues such as familial medical history.

There are a number of issues to consider when adopting. Before moving forward with the process, families hoping to adopt need to know what they want and how to go about achieving that. An experienced attorney may be able to help these families better understand their options and navigate the process as smoothly as possible. In the end, adoption attorneys want to help ensure that the adoptive family can expand without any unforeseen issues arising.

Source: FindLaw, “Open vs. Closed Adoption,” accessed on Oct. 28, 2016