Open Adoption – It’s Your Choice
When faced with an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, many women find themselves in unfamiliar territory, uncertain of what their options are and what to do next. If you are a Texas woman exploring adoption, some of the most important things to understand are birth mother adoption rights, the differences between closed and open adoption, and Texas adoption laws.
What is modern open adoption?
Our agency protects birth mother adoption rights and ensures that you lead the way in decisions about choosing and working with an adoptive family. We offer closed adoption for those who prefer it, as well as modern open adoption, in which you can have contact with the family and your child going forward.
With modern open adoption, you and the adoptive family can have regular communication, which may take many forms.
- Exchanging letters, photos or videos by mail, social media or email
- Speaking on the phone or having video calls at regular intervals
- In-person visits with the adoptive family and child, on an established schedule
Some birth parents may not want any contact with the adoptive family, and some might feel that way at first but change their minds later. In other cases, birth mothers know they want to be able to celebrate milestones as their child grows. In all cases, contact agreements can be created to ensure that your preferences are respected.
For most birth mothers, knowing the baby is safe and loved provides immense peace of mind after the difficult decision to choose adoption. Open adoption can also help ensure that the child understands their own background, and can have a healthy relationship with their birth mother as well as their adoptive family.
Texas adoption laws and expectant parent rights
Under Texas law, adoptive parents must prove that they can provide a financially stable, safe home for a baby. They will undergo background checks, have a home study, and must provide references, among other requirements. You can trust that all adoptive parents working with Legacy Adoption Services have undergone intensive screening and have met all requirements put forth by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Expectant parents can also expect the following when working with Legacy Adoption Services.
- Counseling and education about all options, including adoption, foster care and parenting.
- Lifetime services at no cost, including adoption matching, hospital coordination and care, relationship building with the adoptive family, and post-adoption counseling and support.
- Zero pressure. Your counselor is a neutral person to help you discuss and imagine possibilities for you and your child, and to put your plan in place for you and your child.
- The right to change your mind. If you decide parenting is the right choice for you and your child, we will connect you to community services to help you be a successful parent.
- The right to choose the adoptive parents, and to know that they are screened and trained. We help you evaluate characteristics that are important to you in an adoptive family, then present families to consider who meet those criteria. If you do not want to select the family, we can do that for you.
- An attorney, free of charge, to explain the legal process of adoption.
- An open or closed adoption – or any level in between. We will prepare your ongoing contact agreement with your desires in mind, and present families to you that share your desired relationship.
- Help with maternity care and related living expenses.
- Help with setting a budget, life skills and connection to local resources to help establish long-term success.
- Help with involving the expectant father in the adoption plan, when safe and appropriate.
- Support for navigating the relationship with the adoptive parents and connecting with other birth parents.
Contact us to learn more
If you are considering adoption and want to know more about open adoption options, resources available to you, birth mother adoption rights, and Texas adoption laws, we are happy to assist you. Contact us to speak with an experienced adoption counselor.
