What types of adoptions are used in Maryland?

Adoptions are usually a beautiful experience for the families who adopt a child. There are some aspects of an adoption that can make turn them into something that seems like it is out of a nightmare. One of these aspects is choosing a type of adoption that doesn’t meet your needs.

What are the different types of adoptions?

There are three basic types of adoptions in Maryland — open, mediated and confidential. The main difference between the three types is the amount of contact between the adoptive family and the birth family. The contact and information the child has about the birth parents are also affected by the type of adoption. In an open adoption, the contact between parental sets is open and the child often has a relationship with the birth parents. In a mediated adoption, information is exchanged, but there usually isn’t direct contact between the child and the birth parents. In a confidential adoption, very limited information is shared and there is no contact between the child and the adoptive parents.

How do I know which is right for me?

You have to think about what you want out of the adoption. If you are willing to have the birth parents know about the child and possibly have a relationship with the child, a confidential adoption might not be the right one. If you don’t want the birth parents to be in the picture, a confidential adoption is likely the right choice.

If you are considering adopting a child, make sure that you understand the legal implications of each. Doing so can help you to ensure that your rights are protected.

Source:

 Precious.org, “Pros and Cons of Open and Closed Adoptions for the Involved Parties,” accessed Jan. 13, 2016

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