Disadvantages of Each Type of Adoption
By Lisa Burden, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed July 11, 2023
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Prospective adoptive families and birth parents have options to pursue domestic options. These include open, closed and semi-open adoptions. The biggest difference between open and closed adoptions is the amount of contact between the adoptive and birth families after the adoptive placement.
Adoption is a legal process. The adoption journey is also a decision with lifetime ramifications. So it's important to do your homework before deciding on an adoption plan, whether you use an adoption agency or an adoption attorney (also called independent adoption). After deciding on your plan, you'll want to consider which type of adoption is best for you and your family, from open to semi-open or closed.
Read on to learn about the disadvantages of each type of adoption. A discussion of the advantages of each type of adoption is available here.
Three Main Types of Domestic Adoption
There are three main types of domestic adoption:
- Closed adoptions (also called "confidential adoption")
- Semi-open adoption (also called "mediated adoption" because of the involvement of an adoption services professional such as a social worker in sharing information)
- Open adoption
We covered foster care adoption, adult adoption, and stepparent adoption elsewhere.
Types of Adoption at a Glance
- Closed Adoptions: Closed adoptions are sometimes called "confidential adoptions." Once the child is in the adoptive home, there is no contact between the biological parents and the adoptive family. Identifying information is not shared. An adoption professional often shares and provides nonidentifying information, such as a family member's medical history. Biological parents lose their legal rights to the child.
- Semi-Open Adoptions: There is ongoing contact in a semi-open adoption. Parents share information in a manner that does not identify the birth parents. For example, cards and letters are exchanged. This happens through an adoption agency or adoption professional — a mediator.
- Open Adoptions: There is direct interaction between the birth family, especially the biological mother, and adoptive families. Identities are known. The adoptive parents may be present at the child's birth. Contact may last for the child's life. Despite the interaction, the biological parents lose their parental rights.
Disadvantages of Each Type of Adoption
Below is a comparison of the various disadvantages of the main types of adoption. To better understand which type is best for you, you may also want to review FindLaw's summary of the advantages of each type of adoption.
Confidential Adoptions | Mediated (Semi-Open) Adoptions | Open Adoptions | |
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Birth Parents |
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Adoptive Parents |
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Adopted Persons |
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Adoption in General
The adoption process for all three types of adoptions is the same.
- Choose an adoption agency or adoption law firm
- Get an adoption home study completed by a social worker or someone affiliated with a licensed adoption agency
- Choose a child or get chosen by a birth parent
- Birth of the child
- Birth parents consent to the adoption
- Revocation period. State laws on revoking consent vary.
- Birth parent relinquishment of the adoptee
- Termination of parental rights
- Get a court order finalizing the adoption. The court will make a decision based on the best interests of the child.
- Original birth certificate sealed. A revised birth certificate issued
- Adoptive parents become the legal parents of the adopted child
Get More Information About the Types of Adoption From an Attorney
Adoption is a great way to give a child a stable home, but if you're considering adoption, make sure you make the right choice for everyone involved. An experienced local adoption attorney can give you legal advice on family law matters. An adoption lawyer can help you make the right decisions while ensuring compliance with laws and processes.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- It is a good idea to have an attorney for complex adoptions
- An attorney can ensure you meet all legal requirements and that your adoption is finalized appropriately
- An attorney can help protect the best interests of adoptive children, adoptive families, and birth parents
- For simple adoptions, you may be able to do the paperwork on your own or by using an agency
Get tailored advice at any point in the adoption process. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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Don't Forget About Estate Planning
Adopting a child is an ideal time to create or change your estate planning forms. Take the time to add new beneficiaries to your will and name a guardian for any minor children. Consider creating a financial power of attorney so your agent can pay bills and make sure your children are provided for. A health care directive explains your health care decisions and takes the decision-making burden off your children when they become adults.