There can be many complicated emotions that accompany the decision to place your child up for adoption. You may even have concerns that adoption means your bond with your child will come to an end. However, we want you to know that’s not the case, thanks to open adoption in Maryland.
What is an open adoption in Maryland? If you’re looking for the open adoption definition in Maryland, you may learn that it’s an adoption featuring a post-placement contact agreement with continuing communication between the parties. Open adoption in Maryland gives birth parents a way to bond with their child.
Open adoption in Maryland lets you give your kid a rich future and better opportunities while you remain a part of their life. These are only two of the benefits of open adoption in Maryland, and you can learn more about open adoption in MD by completing our online form and connecting with an adoption professional today.
In the guide below, we want to help you get a fundamental understanding of open adoptions in Maryland, in addition to the differences between closed adoption, semi-open adoption, and open adoption in Maryland. Read on to learn more.
What is Open Adoption in Maryland?
Are you wondering, “What is open adoption in Maryland?” If so, you’re not alone. Open adoption in Maryland is a type of adoption arrangement that extends many benefits to all members of the adoption triad. Open adoption in Maryland grows out of the shared love of the child between the birth parents and adoptive parents, which is simply beautiful.
The benefits of open adoptions in Maryland include:
- Your child will know who they are and where they come from.
- You can be at peace knowing your kid is thriving within a loving, supportive family.
- You can offer family medical history information in an emergency.
- You can gain easy access to adoption records.
- You can stay in contact with your child through calls, email, social media and even in-person meetings.
- Your child will be protected from negative feelings stemming from closed adoption.
- Your child will have a loving and supportive extended family to lean on.
Are There Any Negative Aspects of Open Adoption in Maryland?
You may hear mention of some supposed negative aspects of open adoption in Maryland, but most of those have been debunked by adoption professionals. These days, most adoption professionals encourage birth parents and adoptive parents to embrace open adoptions in MD because of the life-changing benefits it offers.
What does open adoption mean in Maryland, and are there any negative aspects that I should be concerned with? Though open adoption in Maryland means different things to everyone involved, everyone truly benefits from it.
Birth parents get to reclaim control of their post-adoption life and continue to pursue their dreams for the future. That includes the type of information shared, the quantity of information shared, and the frequency of the contact.
Your open adoption in Maryland can be tailored to your personal terms, though there are some features that are commonly shared in most open adoptions in Maryland. They include:
- Contact details for everyone involved
- Birth parent family medical history
- In-person meetings for special occasions
- Free, unrestricted contact between the parties
You get to choose who will parent your child, and the kind of adoption contact arrangement you want will influence your family selection. If open adoption in Maryland is an attractive option for you, be sure to look for an agency that promotes open adoption in Maryland.
Below are a few agencies in Maryland that work with birth mothers on open adoptions in MD.
- American Adoptions
- The Barker Adoption Foundation
- Adoptions Together
- Cradle of Hope Adoptions
- Adoption Makes Family
What is a semi-open adoption in Maryland?
Semi-open adoption in Maryland is similar to open adoption in Maryland, with one defining difference. The communication allowed in semi-open adoption in Maryland isn’t as free and unrestricted as in open adoption. The contact in semi-open adoption in MD is usually less frequent and less specific, and sometimes there’s no direct interaction between the involved parties.
Through semi-open adoption in Maryland, you get to keep your privacy and see your child grow up from afar with no direct communication. Your adoption professional will act as a mediator for the contact in semi-open adoption in Maryland, which lets you keep your distance and be certain your child is healthy and well.
The information exchanged in a semi-open adoption in MD may include:
- Names for the people involved
- Location of the birth parents
- Basic medical information and family history for the adoptee
- General biographical information for the birth parents
You alone get to decide whether you want direct contact with your child and the adoptive family. If maintaining your privacy and watching your child develop seems like the right way to move forward, semi-open adoption in Maryland may be perfect for you.
What is closed adoption in Maryland?
Open adoption in Maryland is right for many birth mothers, but not everyone wants continued contact. Some women would prefer to move on with their lives. In those cases, closed adoption is an option. Once common, closed adoptions are infrequent now due to the negative aspects associated with them.
That said, you can still choose the type of post-placement contact arrangement that will work best for you. If you’d prefer not to have contact with your child or the adoptive family after placement, closed adoption is the way to do that. You get total privacy while moving on with your life, as there’s no shared information or contact. You can make arrangements for your child to find you when they turn 18, however.
Open Adoption vs Closed Adoption in Maryland: How Do They Differ?
Separating open vs. closed adoption in Maryland is easy due to the differing amounts of contact shared. In open adoption in MD, the parties can agree to any kind of contact, with the people involved deciding how much information is shared. There’s no contact at all in closed adoption, and few (if any) details are shared.
If you’re choosing between closed adoption vs. open adoption in Maryland, please know there are sometimes negative outcomes that arise from closed adoption, such as:
- You won’t know your child is healthy and well.
- Your child won’t have family medical information in an emergency.
- Your child may struggle with feelings of abandonment.
- You may have a tough time reuniting with your child in the future.
Most adoption professionals believe the benefits of open adoption in Maryland dramatically outweigh the potential concerns. That’s why closed adoptions have diminished in modern adoption. Also, the previously accepted benefits of closed adoption have been discredited, making semi-open and open adoption in Maryland the choice of birth mothers.
Selecting between closed vs. open adoption in Maryland is up to you, and you can take all the time you need to consider this choice and how it will shape your future and your baby’s future.
Are Open Adoptions in Maryland Enforceable Under State Law?
Open adoptions in Maryland, also known as post-adoption contract agreements, are enforceable if they are approved by the courts. However, you should know enforcement usually isn’t necessary in open adoption in MD because the parties to the adoption agree to participate out of love for the child and because of the benefits of open adoption in Maryland.
Open adoptions in Maryland are founded in the shared best interest of the adoptee. The mutual love for the child that binds birth parents and adoptive parents is a beautiful thing. Open adoption in Maryland shouldn’t be confused with co-parenting, but it is a commitment made by birth parents and adoptive parents to protect the child’s best interests in any open adoption in MD.
To learn more about open adoption in Maryland, discuss your situation with a licensed adoption professional to learn how the law applies to your situation.
Where To Get More Information About Open Adoption in Maryland
What is open adoption in Maryland? Open adoption in Maryland means different things to different people. However, the birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees all benefit from open adoption in Maryland, and that’s why it’s become popular in the modern era.
Open adoption in Maryland isn’t right for everyone, and you get to decide how it will impact your situation. Your choice will shape your relationship with your kid in the future. To talk about the type of adoption arrangement that best meet your needs, you can contact an adoption professional by completing our online form.
