I’ve just been notified of an adoption plan for my child. What are my options?
As the birth father, your options when it comes to your baby being placed for adoption vary by state, but you will typically choose between one of two options:
Consent to the adoption. If you choose to cooperate with the adoption plan, then you will have the additional option to either be involved with the process, or decide not to be involved. Consenting to the adoption will require you to waive your parental rights to the child.
Contest the adoption. If you would like to contest the adoption, your options for doing so will depend on the laws in the state in which you live. The laws requirements for blocking an adoption, however, are strict.
I’m not sure I agree that adoption is the right choice. What are my rights?
Your rights as the birth father will, again, vary by state. In general, however, birth fathers have the same rights as birth mothers, and have the right to object to the adoption.
You also have the right to be actively involved in the adoption plan, if you consent to it, which means having a say in choosing the adoptive family, what kind of adoption you would prefer, and other parts of the decision-making process.
I want to keep in touch with my child after the adoption. Is that possible?
Yes. Part of the adoption planning process included choosing the type of adoption you would like to have. In a general sense, adoptions will either be considered open, semi-open/semi-closed, or closed.
Open adoptions allow you and the birth mother to have contact with the adoptive family and your child after the adoption. The type and duration of contact, as well as other details, are worked out between the adoptive family and the birth parents.
Semi-open or Semi-closed adoptions still allow contact with the child, but to a more limited extent.
Closed adoptions typically mean no contact with the child after he or she is born.
I’m worried about how my child will feel abandoned once he or she learns about the adoption. Will they think I abandoned them?
This is a common concern for birth mothers and birth fathers alike. Thankfully, in recent years, adoption has become more of an open process, which means that your child could potentially have the opportunity to know more about you, including your reasons behind placing them for adoption. Ultimately, adoption is a selfless and loving decision, made in the best interest of the child. When this is explained properly, most children will respect and love the decision that you’ve made.