What Options Are Available for Building a Family through Adoption?
You’ve decided to either start or increase the size of your family. Maybe you’re unable biologically to have children. Maybe you are aware of the large number of children across the country and around the world who are in need of a good home. For whatever reason, you’ve decided that you want to go through the adoption process. What are your options? What are the different ways that you can legally bring a new child into your home?
Open vs. Closed Adoption
Until the last 50 years or so, virtually all adoptions were closed. That typically meant that the birth parents and the adoptive parents had little or no contact before the adoption, and almost always meant that the birth parents had no ongoing contact whatsoever after the adoption was finalized. Birth parents rarely, if ever, had any input into who the adoptive parents were—those decisions were made entirely by adoption agencies.
In today’s world, nearly all adoptions (about 95%, by some estimates) are considered “open adoptions,” where the birth parents and adoptive parents have interactions before and even after the adoption is final. Mental health professionals say that open adoptions help instill a sense of identity and self-confidence in the adopted child, allowing them a better understanding of their family history.
The extent to which an adoption is open or closed generally varies on a case-by-case basis, with the parties typically agreeing at the outset as to how much and what types of contact will take place.
Agency vs. Independent/Private Adoption
With an agency adoption, the parties enlist a licensed adoption agency to handle most, if not all, of the details of the adoption. Using an agency can simplify the process significantly, as the agency will help you find a match, handle all the paperwork and know how to deal with any issues that arise. They’ll also know the unique laws of each state if the birth parents and adoptive parents live in different parts of the country.
Adoption agencies are for-profit entities, as a general rule, so the fees can be substantial. As an adoptive parent, you’ll also typically have less contact with the birth parent during the adoption process—the agency will typically handle most of that.
Domestic vs. International Adoptions
A domestic adoption is one that takes place within one of the 50 states in America. An international adoption customarily involves a child living in a foreign country and commonly involves travel to that country to finalize the adoption. As a general rule, international adoptions tend to be a bit more expensive. Furthermore, international adoptions tend to be closed…because the birth parents are from another country, it’s less likely that you’ll have any contact with them before or after the adoption is completed.
Contact the Experienced Adoption Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law office of Bailey & Galyen, we have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the adoption process and can help you make the right decisions about how you want to build a family through adoption. We will be your advocate throughout the process, whether you’re handling the matter privately or going through an agency, whether you prefer an open or closed adoption, and whether you’re adopting domestically or internationally.
We offer a free initial consultation to every client. To set up an appointment with a proven Texas adoption attorney, contact us by e-mail or 844-402-2992 call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. We will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
