What is a Closed Adoption?

Nevada Adoption Lawyer Eric A. Stovall Offers Assistance

Closed adoptions are serious and delicate issues. In closed adoptions, the child receives very little information about his or her biological parents. The biological and adoptive parents do not share any personal identifying information with each other, and they may never meet. Our Reno adoption lawyer has over 25 years of experience helping families with closed adoptions. His knowledge of Nevada adoption laws, coupled with his compassion for adoptive families, make him a valuable resource for families exploring options for adoption.

Whether you are looking to adopt a child or considering adoption for your biological child, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to the closed adoption process that you need to consider. Closed adoption, also known as secret adoption or confidential adoption, presents certain parental rights issues that both sides need to know about. Our attorney can discuss open adoption vs closed adoption to make sure you make the right choice for your family.

What is Open Adoption?

An open adoption is a type of adoption in which the biological and adoptive families have some form of contact or ongoing relationship with each other. Unlike traditional closed adoptions, where all identifying information about the biological parents is sealed and the adoptive and biological families have no contact, open adoptions involve varying degrees of openness and communication between the parties involved.

In an open adoption:

• Communication: There is ongoing communication between the birth parents, adoptive parents, and sometimes the adopted child. This communication can take many forms, including letters, emails, phone calls, or in-person visits.
• Information Sharing: The parties involved in an open adoption may share information about themselves, including updates on the child's well-being, family news, and photos.
• Involvement: Birth parents may have the opportunity to be involved in the child's life to some extent, such as attending special events, celebrations, or milestones.
• Understanding and Agreement: Open adoptions are typically based on mutual understanding and agreement between the birth parents and adoptive parents, often facilitated by an adoption agency or attorney. The level of openness and contact is determined by the preferences and comfort levels of all parties involved.
• Benefits and Considerations: Open adoptions can offer benefits such as allowing the child to have a sense of connection with their biological roots and providing birth parents with ongoing knowledge of their child's well-being. However, open adoptions also require careful consideration of boundaries, communication expectations, and the potential impact on all parties involved.

It's important to note that the degree of openness in an open adoption can vary widely based on the preferences and agreements of the individuals involved. Some open adoptions may involve frequent contact and a high level of involvement, while others may be more limited in their communication and interaction. Each open adoption is unique and is based on the specific needs and circumstances of the individuals involved.

Closed Adoption Advantages

Some parents involved with closed adoptions feel a sense of closure and finality. Since closed adoptions generally prevent the biological parents from making contact, the adoptive family is free to live without outside influences from the birth parents. This clearly defines the child’s family, and there is little confusion about who his or her “real” family is. Biological parents who want a certain degree of privacy about their decision also benefit from closed adoptions. Few adoptions are closed today because birth parents want to know that their child was placed to a good home.

Closed Adoption Disadvantages

Some biological parents may regret pursuing the closed adoption path since it means they cannot communicate with the child again. Thus, the biological parents may struggle emotionally with their decision. Adoptive parents receive basic medical information about the biological family. However, they may have other questions or concerns that the family cannot address due to a lack of communication. Later in life, the child may have questions about his or her biological parents or genealogy that no one can answer.

Closed Adoption Attorney in Nevada

If you believe a closed adoption might be best for your family or if you have questions about open adoption vs closed adoption, contact our Nevada adoption lawyer today at (775) 227-7221. You can also submit the contact form on the side of the page. We have offices in Las Vegas and Reno, NV.