There is more than one way to welcome a child into a family. Adoption allows people to open their hearts and their homes to a child who needs love and stability in their life. If you’re adopting, it helps to understand the process and terminology involved in the North Carolina adoption process. There are distinct differences between open and closed adoptions. These differences can impact the adoption process and your and your child’s contact with the birth parents.
What are the key differences between open and closed adoption? How does your choice of the type of adoption impact the process? At Marshall & Taylor PLLC, our North Carolina adoption attorneys want to clarify our state’s adoption laws so you can make a reasoned decision.
Types of Adoption in North Carolina
Adoption falls into one of two categories: open or closed. The most significant difference between the two types of adoption is that in an open adoption, the adoptive parents will have access to the name of the biological mother, at minimum. In a closed adoption, there is no sharing of identifying information between adoptive and biological parents.
Open Adoption
Open adoptions allow adoptive and biological parents to communicate with each other. If the birth mother has chosen an open adoption, she may get to know the prospective adoptive parents and their families. This glimpse of the type of life and family structure the child could have may be reassuring to her. Depending on the adoption format, she may have input on prospective adoptive families.
From the point of view of the adoptive parents, an open adoption means you can learn more about the biological parents. You have the option of having an open dialogue with the biological mother about family and medical history so you can better prepare yourself for the potential needs of your future child. You may also glean more information about the parents’ home life and unique circumstances that may factor into raising your adopted child.
Statistics show that nearly 95 percent of adoptions in the United States today are open. Open adoptions can be beneficial because they give each party a degree of communication and control over the process. Some open adoptions even allow children and families to engage in post-placement contact, which can help enrich the lives of all involved.
Closed Adoption
Closed adoptions do not allow for contact and communication between parties. Information is not shared, and the biological mother does not receive a copy of the adoptive parent’s home study or other identifying information. A closed adoption is an opportunity to remain anonymous during the adoption process.
The disadvantages of a closed adoption include a lack of access to the medical or family history of the child. Closed adoptions are difficult to reverse. However, closed adoptions can protect children who may have been born into complex or potentially dangerous circumstances.
Middle of the Road Option
In North Carolina, families have a third adoption option called semi-open adoption. In a semi-open adoption, communication is restricted. Biological and adoptive parents can exchange information, but their identities remain protected. There is limited interaction. Parents can choose to communicate through a neutral third party or an intermediary like an attorney or adoption specialist.
A semi-open adoption can give families a little more flexibility, allowing them to retain some anonymity while still gathering vital information and details about the health, circumstances, and medical history of both the biological and adoptive families. This form of adoption can be an excellent option for individuals who may struggle with addiction or mental health issues. It can also make respecting and adhering to boundaries easier and less stressful.
Choosing an Adoption Strategy that Works for Your Family
Choosing whether you want to participate in a closed, semi-open, or open adoption can be challenging. Both have benefits and drawbacks. While adoption agencies provide a wealth of information about the process and prepare your family for welcoming a child to your home, an experienced and compassionate adoption attorney can help you manage all the details of the process. At Marshall & Taylor PLLC, our caring legal team can help you understand your adoption options and protect you and your family during the legal adoption process.
Call our North Carolina office today at (919) 833-1040 or contact us online to learn how our team can help you focus on the love and joy of adding a new person to your family while we relieve you of the stress of worrying about the legal process and red tape.