You may experience many strong emotions when putting your child up for adoption. But thanks to open adoption in Kansas, there’s no need to worry you’ll lose your bond with your child.
What is an open adoption in Kansas? The open adoption definition in Kansas states that it’s any adoption featuring a post-placement contact arrangement that promotes continuing contact among the parties. Open adoption in Kansas lets you have a relationship with your child. It also means different things to the people involved in the adoption.
With open adoption in Kansas, you truly get the best of both worlds: you’ll be providing your kid with a future rich in opportunity, and you’ll get to play a role in their life. Those are just a couple of the benefits that come with open adoption in Kansas. To learn more about open adoption in KS, you can complete our online form and speak to a professional today.
This guide is meant to give you a fundamental understanding of open adoptions in Kansas and explain the differences between closed, semi-open, and open adoption in Kansas. We also cover the ways that each type may impact you and your child’s future, so keep reading.
What is Open Adoption in Kansas?
If you’re wondering, “What is open adoption in Kansas?” we want you to know that’s a great question. Open adoption in Kansas has become the norm in modern adoption because of the many benefits that it bestows on members of the adoption triad. Open adoption in Kansas emerges from mutual love of the child shared by the birth parents and adoptive parents, which is a beautiful thing.
A few of the advantages associated with open adoptions in Kansas include:
- Your child will know where they come from.
- You’ll get to see that your child is well and with a loving, supportive family.
- Your child will have family medical history information.
- You can easily gain access to adoption records.
- You can stay in touch with your child (and that includes in-person meetings.)
- Your child will be protected from negative feelings associated with closed adoption.
- Your child will benefit from a supportive, loving extended family.
Is There a Downside to Open Adoption in Kansas?
There are few negative aspects of open adoption in Kansas because the assumed drawbacks of open adoptions in KS have been debunked. Now, the majority of adoption professionals recommend it due to the life-changing benefits open adoption in Kansas offers.
So, what does open adoption mean in Kansas? The truth is that open adoption in KS means different things to each member of the adoption triad. For birth parents, it means taking control of your post-adoption journey, including what information is shared, the amount of information shared, and the frequency of contact with your child.
The specifics of your open adoption in Kansas can be tailored to meet your preferences. That said, there is also information is routinely shared in most open adoptions in Kansas. That includes:
- Contact information for birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adoptees
- Family medical history for both birth parents
- Face-to-face meetings on special occasions
- Open contact among the parties in the adoption triad
You have a right to choose the parents who will raise your child, and the kind of adoption contact arrangement you want is a consideration when picking a family. If open adoption in Kansas sounds good to you, look for an agency that welcomes open adoption in Kansas.
You’ll find a few agencies below in Kansas that work with birth mothers to create open adoptions in KS.
What is a semi-open adoption in Kansas?
Semi-open adoption in Kansas is a derivative of open adoption in Kansas that differs in an important way. The depth of the contact in semi-open adoption in Kansas isn’t as great as it is in open adoption. Semi-open adoption in KS involves less communication among the involved parties, and the contact is general in nature and not as detailed.
Through semi-open adoption in Kansas, you can privately watch your child grow up from afar with no direct contact with them or their adoptive parents. Your adoption professional can serve as a mediator between the parties in semi-open adoption in Kansas so that you can maintain your privacy while knowing your child is healthy and well.
The information exchanged may include:
- First names of the birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees
- Physical location of the birth parents
- Minimal medical information and family history for the adoptee
- Limited biographical information for the birth parents
You have a right to decide whether you want direct contact with your child and the adoptive family. If you’d rather maintain your privacy and watch your child develop from a distance, semi-open adoption in Kansas may appeal to you.
What is closed adoption in Kansas?
The opposite of open adoption in Kansas is closed adoption. While it once was the norm in past adoptions, it’s largely been abandoned in the modern era because of the potential drawbacks associated with it.
However, you get to decide what kind of post-placement contact arrangement is best for you. When you don’t want contact with your child or the adoptive family following placement, closed adoption gives you that option. No information is exchanged at all, but you can make arrangements for your child to find you when they turn 18 if you wish, however.
Open Adoption vs Closed Adoption in Kansas: In What Ways are They Different?
It’s not hard to differentiate between open vs. closed adoption in Kansas because the primary distinction is defined by the amount of contact shared. In open adoption in KS, any contact that the parties agree on is allowed, and any amount of information can be exchanged. In a closed adoption, there’s no communication and little (or no) details are shared.
If you’re contemplating your choice between closed adoption vs. open adoption in Kansas, please know there may be potentially negative outcomes associated with closed adoption, like:
- You won’t know if your child is healthy and well.
- Your child will have no family medical history in case of an emergency.
- Your child may wrestle with feelings of abandonment.
- You may experience difficulty connecting with your child in the future if you both choose to do so.
The majority of adoption professionals now agree that the benefits of open adoption in Kansas far outweigh any potential concerns, which has resulted in a sharp decline in closed adoption. Also, the supposed benefits of closed adoption have been discredited, making semi-open and open adoption in Kansas the choice of many birth mothers.
Choosing between closed vs. open adoption in Kansas is a personal decision, and you have the right to take your time and consider how this choice will shape your future and your baby’s future.
Are Open Adoptions in Kansas Enforceable by State Law?
Agreements for open adoptions in Kansas, also known as post-adoption contract agreements, are not enforced by the courts because state law doesn’t address the issue. However, enforcement often isn’t necessary in open adoption in KS because the parties in the adoption triad agree to participate willingly due to the benefits of open adoption in Kansas.
Open adoptions in Kansas are about the best interest of the adoptee and the mutual love for the adoptee that the birth parents and adoptive parents share. Open adoption in Kansas isn’t co-parenting, but it allows birth parents and adoptive parents to commit to protecting the child’s best interests.
To learn more about open adoption in Kansas, contact a licensed adoption professional to find out how the law applies to your situation.
Where You Can Learn More about Open Adoption in Kansas
What is open adoption in Kansas? The easiest way to answer that question is to say that open adoption in Kansas means different things to different people. Everyone involved benefits from open adoption in Kansas, which is why it’s so common.
There are few if any, drawbacks that come from seeing your child develop and grow. Open adoption in Kansas may not be right for everyone, but you get to decide that. Your decision will influence your relationship with your kid in the future. To talk to an adoption professional about which type of adoption arrangement best meets your needs, please complete our online form.
