At 16 yrs old can a adopted child see his real mother against the adopted families wishes?

Lillie

If the adoptee knows who she is, well, it is a free country...I mean what if they happened to both be in the same shopping mall, and, oops, bumped in to one another?

As far as I can tell, there's no law against that.

Seems to me, the adopters have a serious case of control issues and insecurity. Too bad for them, they are heading down a one-way street toward driving their adopted child out of their lives.

Randy B

Depending upon the precursors of the adoption I can see where someone may think it's against the law but I'm not sure. If the child was originally removed from her birth family because of abuse or something similar there may be a reason why he is not allowed contact with the family until he is 18. Then again, it could just be an excuse by his adoptive family.

Independ"ant"

Tell your friend to just meet them in a public place like a restaurant..go with him for support. At 16 ...why would an afamily try to prevent this.

It will only be a "legality" issue if the afamily makes it one.

ladybmw1218

I don't think it's possible to legislate who private citizens can communicate with or see. This would be a parental rule type situation, just as with any minor...but not a legal issue.

Gina M

you can't legally see them in the state of VA. yes that's true. once you turn 18 its your own decision. I don't not recommend going to see these people in private. As anything can happen. Here is a description of the type of adoption that I think you went through. A non-agency placement occurs when the child is not in the custody of an agency. In a non-agency placement, the birth parents or legal guardian(s) consent to the adoption, and parental rights are terminated by entry of the final order of adoption. If I knew how old you were at time of adoption things would or could be different. But after reading the page At te Adoption Virginia Department of Social Services I see that you may not contact them on your own. If you have however and they want to see you just keep an email or phone contact with them until your 18th Birthday if your adoptive parents are dead set against you seeing your birth parents.

monkeykitty83

The problem is the adoptee's age. At 16, his adoptive/legal parents DO still have the right and responsibility to say who he may and may not see. Americans have freedom of association guaranteed as a constitutional right... but those rights only apply fully to adult Americans.

I suggest the adoptee have a talk with his adoptive parents about why contact with the biological family is safe and proper. Maybe suggest that the meeting take place in a public space, with them close by, if the issue is safety, or reassure them that he's prepared for the emotional consequences.

If he can't convince them, he still has to obey their rules, and they have the legal right to deny him contact. Once he turns 18, however, he can associate freely with whoever he wants, and the adoptive parents have no say.

Kyle H

once a family gives there kid up for the adoption they loss all rights to the baby

jmssky

i don't think you can go until you're 18, but call the adoption agency to find out forsure

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