Raising a child can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of someone’s life. In some cases, a couple may not be able to have a biological child of their own, so they may turn to adoption. According to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, approximately 61,000 children were adopted in 2018. More than half of these children were adopted by foster parents, and 35 percent were adopted by a relative. Families in Illinois may choose between a “closed” or an “open” adoption. In a closed adoption, sometimes referred to as a private adoption, an infant is typically adopted by another family, and the record of the birth parent is kept sealed, so there is no future contact between the biological parent and child. Alternatively, an open adoption occurs when one or both birth parents desire to have a relationship with their child after the adoption. In these cases, it is important for adoptive parents to hire a skilled family law attorney to help them define the parameters of that relationship moving forward.
Family Bonds
There are a multitude of reasons why parents may give their child up for adoption. In some cases, they may be young and unmarried and not prepared or equipped to raise a child on their own. Most birth parents only want the best for their child, so they make the difficult decision to place him or her up for adoption, with the hope that he or she will have a better future with parents who can adequately provide for his or her needs. When birth parents give up their child for adoption, their parental rights are terminated. This means the adopting parents will have the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing.
An open adoption gives biological parents the chance to still be involved in their child’s life to a degree. By choosing parents that they feel would be suited to raise their child, this gives a birth mother and father a certain amount of control over the entire process. After placement, birth parents and adoptive parents may send pictures or videos as the child grows, which can ease some of the anxiety and grief over the separation. In addition, they may arrange in-person visits to allow a birth parent to have ongoing contact with the child.
An open adoption eliminates the adoptee’s need to search for his or her birth parents. It also takes away the unknown so the child is not left wondering about why they were adopted. By having access to biological parents, a child can also obtain important information on his or her background, in addition to the following benefits:
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Gives a sense of control in the placement process
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Provides details on any family medical history (genetic disorders, ethnic heritage)
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Keeps the child’s well-being as a top priority
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Allows the possibility to develop a genuine relationship with the child over time
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Alleviates feelings of guilt and abandonment
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Avoids a court trial for contested termination of parental rights
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Expands the child’s support system (siblings, cousins, grandparents)
Contact a Winfield Family Law Attorney
Expanding your family can be very rewarding, benefitting not only you but a child who needs a safe and loving home environment. At The Law Office of Christina Martell, we are committed to helping make your dream of a family come true. Our qualified and compassionate DuPage County adoption lawyer will help you navigate the steps involved in adopting a child in Illinois. Call us today at 630-717-2772 to learn how we can find a personalized solution for your legal matter. We offer consultations for $100, which is credited toward your bill moving forward upon hiring our firm.
Sources:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2098&ChapterID=59
https://americanpregnancy.org/adoption/open-adoption-advantages-70981/