Does anyone know which states legally honor open adoption?

Question

I know there are only about twelve that honor an open adoption plan legally. Do you know which states do this? And why don't the rest of the states in our country follow this practice?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't know which states but I do know its because the adoption industry runs the states on this issue.  There is a reason why they want closed adoptions.  They can hide the money that they have earned.  They also can hide what they did to the natural parents.  They can cover up how they have scammed the adoptive parents.  Lord knows what the blowup would be if all of us really knew what they did behind closed doors.

There are several cases that are being contested right now.  Probably more than I even know.  I am sure that there is a adoption agency/attorney network.  If one agency can't complete an adoption, they send the mother to another one.  I am sure they grease each others palms with money.

Answer 2

"Personally, I feel that if the couple and the birthmom agree to open adoption (whether it be photos, visits, etc), then it should be completely legally binding and only if the birthmother (or birthfamily) becomes a risk to the child, should such be revoked."

Other than adoption itself; forcing a child to "be" the daughter or son of strangers - what happens if the adopters become a risk to the child?

Answer 3

are you a first time mother to be looking for help?  i do know of someone who would be more then happy to help you take care of the baby.  you would be the mommy and she would be the grammy and if one day you decided to raise her alone then you would be the mommy and able to come get the baby.  however she would still want to remain part of your childs life as a step grandma.  

she believes this is best for an adopted child that way the child isn't confused when a new parent comes back around.  this way the child knows you chose someone you found special to care for them while you were handling your own problems.

Answer 4

Ohio does. Indiana does.  I personally don't like the idea of open adoption.  I wouldn't adopt if I knew the birth mother could potentially come and take the baby back after I paid money for it. I personally feel that the child can find it's parents at 18 if it wants to do so but for the first 18 years of it's life let it be with the parents it has grown up with.

Answer 5

Only a few states do.  Washington (the state I live in) only honors open adoptions if the birthmother and lawyer have it a court ordered document, which means if the adoptive parents renige on their part of the agreement, birthmom can sue for visitation.  But just a few signatures in a lawyers office do not make it legal and binding.  Adoptive parents hold the reins, so to speak.  They can choose to cut out the birthfamily at any time they choose if it so much as becomes the least bit inconvenient.  Or the adoptive parents only tell the birthmother what she wants to hear so they can get the baby and then slam the door in her face as soon as the placement is finalized.  Personally, I feel that if the couple and the birthmom agree to open adoption (whether it be photos, visits, etc), then it should be completely legally binding and only if the birthmother (or birthfamily) becomes a risk to the child, should such be revoked.

And for those who cry "she signed the papers, she lost that right!", lots of young women merely want to ensure that their child is loved and taken care of.  It has nothing to do with wanting to interfere with their parenting, or "confusing the child" as so many believe.  It has nothing to do with wanting to be a part of their lives without the responsibility (many think we just look at the adoptive couples as glorified babysitters).  We know it is permanent.  We know that we cannot ever raise that child.  We just want to ensure that our child is getting all that we could not give them: a stable home environment,  the attention and dedication we might not have been able to give them....How hard is it to allow an occasional visit or a photo or two a few times a year?

Answer 6

Oregon, Washington and Idaho are 3.... I am unsure, but think California is part of this...and I beleive Florida...

Answer 7

I believe the question is a little misleading, because if adopters choose not to follow the terms of their open agreement, there is essentially no enforcement provisions.

A mother will not get her child back if an adopter refuses to honor the  original conditions.

Answer 8

Not my state.  So why did the agencies here tell us that open adoption was win-win when "birth" families had no protection in the courts?  Do you mean they were - on my gosh - lying?  What a surprise!!