Birth parent(s) who wish for an open adoption in New York State can be assured that the adoptive parents will honor their wishes for post-adoption contact through a court enforceable Post Adoption Contact Agreement (a legal document).
In New York State agency adoptions, birth mothers and birth fathers who want to have an open relationship with the adoptive family and have post-adoption contact the with child and family can have a legal agreement that guides the relationship. The Post Adoption Contact Agreement is discussed and agreed to by the birth parent(s), adoptive family, and adoption agency at the time the birth parent makes an adoption plan for their baby. Post Adoption Contact Agreements are legal contracts between the birth parent(s), adoptive parents, and adoption agency that detail the minimum requirements of post-adoption contact between the birth parent(s) and adoptive family.
Most Post Adoption Contact Agreements include:
- The sending of pictures and letters regarding the child's progress to the birth parents by the adoptive parents. Typically the agreement gives a minimum schedule for pictures and letters. For example, many birth parents receive pictures four times per year during the child's first year of life, twice a year until the child is five, and once a year until the child is 18 years old. The schedule is determined by the birth parent(s) and adoptive parents.
- Visitation between the child, the adoptive parents, and the birth parents. Most courts will approve agreements for one or two visits per year. Again the schedule of those visits is agreed to by the birth parent(s) and adoptive family.
Important Notes Regarding Post Adoption Contact Agreements in New York State:
- Agreements are only court enforceable in New York State Agency Adoptions (not in private independent adoptions). Meaning, if birth parent(s) want a court enforceable agreement they must work with an authorized adoption agency.
- Family Connections, Inc. is an adoption agency that ensures the use and enforcement of Post Adoption Contact Agreements
- Family Connections, Inc. was one of the first adoption agencies in New York State to advocate for the use of Post Adoption Contact Agreements.
- Agreements specify the minimum requirements for post-adoption contact; birth families and adoptive families may have additional contact based upon their relationship.
- Many open adoption relationships develop over time and the amount of contact between the birth parent(s) and adoptive family changes. The agreement sets forth only the minimum requirements for contact.
- Birth mothers and birth fathers will have separate agreements with the adoptive family. The birth mother and the birth father can have similar requirements for post-adoption contact or can have very different requirements. For example the birth mother may wish for an annual visit with the adoptive family but the birth father may not want visitation.
- Agreements obligate the adoptive family to providing pictures & letters and visitation as indicated in the agreement; it does not require the birth parent(s) to comply with the agreed contact. For example, if the birth parent chooses not to visit the child there is no consequences to the birth parent. However, if the adoptive parent refuses a visit with the birth parent, the birth parent has the right to require the visit with the adoptive family.
- In the experience of Family Connections, Inc., it is very rare that an adoptive family doesn't comply with the agreement. Most adoptive parents are thrilled to have continued contact with their son or daughter's birth parent(s). Many adoptive parents wish to have more contact than the birth parents wish for.
- Agreements are developed by the birth parent's lawyer after the attorney provides the birth parent will legal counsel. Click here for a listing of adoption attorneys in New York State who develop Post Adoption Contact Agreements.
- If the adoptive parents do not comply with the agreement (for example they don't send the birth parent pictures & letters or agree to a visit), the birth parent first calls the adoption agency to resolve the problem. If the adoption agency is unable to get the adoptive parents to provide the pictures & letters or visit, the birth parent can then petition the court to enforce the agreement.
- Family Connections, Inc. is available to mediate disrupts regarding Post Adoption Contact Agreements.
- Family Connections has never had an adoptive family who has not provided the birth parent(s) with the required post-adoption contact.
- If the court must enforce the Post Adoption Contact Agreement, the court may order the adoptive parents to comply with the agreement and/or pay a fine. The court will not nullify the adoption; the court will not remove the child from the adoptive home.
- Family Connections, Inc. has never had a Post Adoption Contact Agreement that needed to be enforced by the court.
- Agreements protect birth parent(s) rights to wanted post adoption contact with the child and adoptive family.
Family Connections, Inc. is an authorized New York State adoption agency that supports birth parents in open adoption and advocates for Post Adoption Contact Agreements. To learn more about open adoption, please contact us at 607-756-6574 info@adoptfamilyconnections.org or download our agency's Adoption Guide below.
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