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Contact Maryland and D.C. Adoption Attorney for a
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Adoption Options in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
"Adoption Love: One gave me up in order for the other to lift me up and give me the life I was born to have." Source: Aandra
Domestic Adoption Options
Domestic infant adoption involves the adoption of children located within the United States of America, whereas international adoption involves the adoption of foreign children located outside of the United States.
There are two types of a domestic infant adoption options in Maryland and Washington, D.C. - through adoption agencies or through a private adoption, which is referred to under Maryland adoption law as an independent adoption. Adoptions through an agency may be completed through private adoption agencies. On the other hand, an independent or private adoption involves an adoption completed privately between the birth and adoptive parents without the involvement of an adoption agency.
If you would like more information on these adoption options, as well as international adoption options, please see the following:
There are two types of a domestic infant adoption options in Maryland and Washington, D.C. - through adoption agencies or through a private adoption, which is referred to under Maryland adoption law as an independent adoption. Adoptions through an agency may be completed through private adoption agencies. On the other hand, an independent or private adoption involves an adoption completed privately between the birth and adoptive parents without the involvement of an adoption agency.
If you would like more information on these adoption options, as well as international adoption options, please see the following:
Closed versus Open Adoption
Although you may have heard the terms open adoption or closed adoption, you may not be entirely sure of their meaning. A closed adoption means that neither the adoptive parents nor the birth parents know the identity of the other party and do not communicate directly with each other. An open adoption means that the adoptive parents and birth parents may either know each other's identity (such as each other's names) or they may communicate with each other directly or indirectly either before or after the adoption is finalized. Sometimes people may call an adoption "semi-open" if there is some limit on the contact between the parties. For example, the parties may agree that the adoptive parents will send annual pictures and written updates on the child after the adoption is finalized, but that will be the extent of the contact after finalization. In comparison, a completely open adoption may involve an agreement between the parties for pictures, written updates, and regular visits between the child and the birth parents.
The parties to an open adoption should consider formalizing their agreement in a written post adoption contact agreement. Under Maryland adoption law, post adoption contact agreements are enforceable in a court of law if the court finds it is in the best interests of the child. It is important to note, however, if the adoptive parents do not comply with their obligations under the agreement, the birth parents cannot revoke their consent to the adoption (after the 30 day revocation period in Maryland has lapsed) nor can they have an adoption decree set aside, effectively undoing the adoption. Rather, if a party refuses to comply with the terms of a post-adoption contact agreement, the parties may go to court and/or mediation to enforce the terms of the agreement. Maryland adoption law also allows for enforceable, post adoption contact agreements between other birth relatives, such as biological siblings or grandparents), and the adoptive family.
The parties to an open adoption should consider formalizing their agreement in a written post adoption contact agreement. Under Maryland adoption law, post adoption contact agreements are enforceable in a court of law if the court finds it is in the best interests of the child. It is important to note, however, if the adoptive parents do not comply with their obligations under the agreement, the birth parents cannot revoke their consent to the adoption (after the 30 day revocation period in Maryland has lapsed) nor can they have an adoption decree set aside, effectively undoing the adoption. Rather, if a party refuses to comply with the terms of a post-adoption contact agreement, the parties may go to court and/or mediation to enforce the terms of the agreement. Maryland adoption law also allows for enforceable, post adoption contact agreements between other birth relatives, such as biological siblings or grandparents), and the adoptive family.
Sheri A. Mullikin
3165 Caveat Ct., Mount Airy, MD 21771
Office: (240) 394-9544
[email protected]
Proudly providing adoption law services throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. since 2008, including the following cities: Eldersburg, Westminster, Finksburg, Sykesville, Taneytown, Frederick, and Urbana.
3165 Caveat Ct., Mount Airy, MD 21771
Office: (240) 394-9544
[email protected]
Proudly providing adoption law services throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. since 2008, including the following cities: Eldersburg, Westminster, Finksburg, Sykesville, Taneytown, Frederick, and Urbana.