What is an open adoption agreement?

An open adoption agreement is an agreement between the adoptive parents and the biological parents of a child that details the level of contact they are comfortable with. In this agreement, both parties have a say in how the adoption is handled. For example, the adoptive parents may agree to send the biological parents pictures and letters of the adopted child or even allow them to visit. Though open adoption agreements are not legally binding in the state of Florida, they are still important for all parties involved. Not only do they provide a way for the adoptive parents and the biological parents to plan for the future of the child, but they also provide the adopted child a sense of security. With this agreement, the child knows who his or her biological parents are and can understand the importance of those relationships. Open adoption agreements are not a new concept in the state of Florida, as they have been in place since the mid-1970s. Since then, the state has become more lenient with open adoption agreements and allows adoptive parents to negotiate terms such as the amount of contact, the duration of contact, and the type of contact between the biological parents and the adopted child. Open adoption agreements can even include educational opportunities for the biological child to learn about the family history of their birth parents. Overall, an open adoption agreement is an important tool to ensure the well-being of the adopted child as well as the adoptive and the biological parents, and is an important part of the adoption process in the state of Florida.

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