Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. > Adoption > Open Adoption

San Antonio Open Adoption Attorneys

If you are interested in pursuing an open adoption, contact the adoption attorneys from Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. for assistance. An open adoption refers to any adoption where identifiable information and contact information are shared between the birth mother and the adoptive parents. Open adoptions are becoming increasingly popular, as they allow children to have a relationship with their birth mother and can be easily facilitated with technology.

However, open adoptions are still complex to set up. The adoption process requires the organization of extensive amounts of paperwork, many meetings, and sometimes, complicated legal processes. Additionally, countless questions are bound to crop up during the process. A lawyer will have the answers to your questions and the know-how to guide you through the legal pathway to open adoption.

The San Antonio open adoption attorneys at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. are all specialists in family law, so we have what it takes to help you pursue an open adoption. If you want to complete your family via an open adoption, contact Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. today at (210) 349-9933 to learn more about what we can do for you.

Why do I need a lawyer?

The path to open adoption is rife with complications. The legal procedures of adopting a child are intricate and stressful to navigate. A simple paperwork mistake or inaccuracy could put your dreams of welcoming a child into your home on hold. A professional attorney with years of experience navigating the open adoption process is essential. A lawyer will aid with your paperwork, making sure it is accurate, up to date, and submitted on time. They will help you prepare for interviews and home visits to ensure that you demonstrate that your home is ready for a child. A lawyer will also keep you organized and guide you through any complications that arise. Perhaps most importantly, hiring a professional will enable you to focus on what is most important: preparing your home for the newest addition to your family.

Why Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P.?

The lawyers at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. are each board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction earned by less than 1% of Texas lawyers. Each attorney on our team earned this distinction for electing to receive further education, training, and evaluation in the field of family law. Our team puts hard work, attention to detail, and dedication into practice each day. We will work diligently to be sure your goals are achieved and your rights are represented.

Our reputation at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. for excellent client service was earned through years of commitment to our clients in the San Antonio and South Texas communities. Our attorneys understand that family is your priority, and we are eager to use our ample legal experience and knowledge to make the adoption process as seamless as possible. We know that adoption is a joyful and exciting process, but it can also be anxiety-inducing, so compassion is at the forefront of our practice. Adoption will forever change your future, and we will work closely with you every step of the way.

What is an open adoption?

Open adoptions are becoming more and more popular in the United States. This is due to the access to information and the potential to develop a relationship with the birth mother that this adoption method provides. An open adoption is defined by the “open” communication between the birth mother and the adoptive family. Adoptions can vary in how “open” they are, with some birth mothers enjoying close and continuing contact with their child, and others simply having the possibility of making contact if they chose to. The openness of contact impacts each step leading up to, during, and after the adoption experience.

The adoption process begins with the matching of a birth mother and adoptive family. Unlike closed adoptions in which this matching is often anonymous and done through a third party, in an open adoption, direct communication begins immediately. Meetings, phone calls, and visits are common during the pre-placement period. The amount of communication can increase or decrease throughout the process and often dips in the period shortly after the child is brought into their new home. After a few months of “settling in,” communication typically increases again, and emails, phone calls, and pictures begin to flow. A post-placement home visit is scheduled for the birth mother, typically around a holiday or perhaps the child’s birthday. In an open adoption, the relationship between the adopted child, the adoptive parents, and the birth mother can be managed according to each person’s comfort level through communication and visits.

What are the benefits of an open adoption?

There are many benefits of open adoptions. In general, open adoptions reduce anxiety for both parties due to the ability for information to flow relatively easily from one party to another. There are several other benefits for the adoptive family, the adopted child, and the birth mother, including:

Confidence: Due to a lack of anxiety and the ability to personally assess the home into which her child will be placed, birth mothers are often more confident and more prepared to complete the adoption process.
Ease: With open adoptions on the rise, it is often easier for adoptive families to connect with a birth mother if both parties seek an open adoption. The population of adoptive families and birth mothers seeking closed adoptions is comparatively small.
Medical History: In a closed adoption, access to medical history is cut off. In an open adoption, however, the adoptive family can be easily informed if, for example, the birth mother develops a genetic health complication later in life which may affect her child.
Peace of Mind: Any adopted child is likely to have questions about their birth parents. An open adoption enables those questions to be answered.

For these and many other reasons, open adoptions are a popular option for American families.

Are there any drawbacks to an open adoption?

It is imperative to weigh the pros and cons of all adoption options with a lawyer to ensure you choose the best option for your family. All pathways have benefits and drawbacks to consider. For open adoptions, some of the main drawbacks include:

Grief and Loss: While an open adoption can provide confidence for the birth mother, it could potentially also increase her feeling of loss. With continued communication, it could be harder for her to make a fresh start and move on without her child.
Co-parenting Concern: Open adoptions do not lead to co-parenting. However, keeping the line of communication between birth mother and adoptive family open can lead to anxiety about defining the role of the birth mother in the child and the adoptive family’s life.

If these drawbacks seem particularly concerning for you, speak with a lawyer about your other adoption options to try to find the right adoption style for you.

Contact Us

If you are considering an open adoption, contact the adoption attorneys at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P.. Get answers to your questions, keep yourself organized, and minimize the number of speed bumps on your way to welcoming a child into your home by hiring an experienced attorney. A lawyer is a key ally during this process, and the board-certified team at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. have ample knowledge to put to work for you and help you open this new chapter of your life as soon as possible. To learn more about what we can do for you, contact us today at (210) 349-9933.