Is this really against the law? ?

I have seen alot of questions and answers stating that it is against the law for adoptees to meet their bio families in some states. I have never heard of this before. We adopted from foster care and were never told it was illegal for our son to have contact with his other family. I thought once the adoption was final, the AP's were the ones to choose if the child saw the other family or not.

If my son's other father was still alive, I can see where it would not be safe for D's to have contact. So I do understand that in some instances it is not safe, but I still never heard of it being illegal.

Is this truly a law in some states (or countries)?
Additional Details
Even though D's parents rights were terminated, no one told us that it was illegal for him to have contact with his other parents.

anastasia beaverhausen-the real1

it's not illegal, per se.

people often also think it's illegal for adoptees or natural parents to write aletter whn they find the person they are looking for.

last i checked, this was a free country. just because we're lied to about who we are as adoptees, does not make it against the LAW to communicate with our natural families.

sunny

Well, let's put it this way...I broke the law getting my records.

I was in a closed adoption--how else could I get my information?

Nicole

My mother was adopted and she found her bio family. I don't think it's illegal. I've never heard of it being illegal anyway.

Annabelle

It would only be illegal if there was a no contact order which could be applicable if one of the parents was charged with criminal child abuse. Otherwise no, its not illegal

Katherine S

Its not illegal here in china

Independ"ant"

I think its only an legality issue for parents that have had their rights revoked by the courts.

As for all other forms of adoption...I believe it becomes a "legality" issue only if the Aps make it one but then again I personally haven't read the fine print of every adoption case so who knows.

I can only imagine courts supporting Aps if its the Natural parents trying to contact the minors not the other way around.

Nameless

No its not. The only case I can think of where it would be illegal is if the parents have a criminal record and are not aloud near children.

car05161967

Illegal, no. Beneficial, yes

reneaumommy

It really depends on the county that termintaes the parents rights. THe county I live in allows the AP to decide what contact will occur when rights have been involuntarily terminated.

The next county over says that when a parents rights are terminated its as if they are dead to that child. (not my words came straight from the states attourney.)

ladybmw1218

If so, I would like to see the exact statutes cited. Every state has their laws online. I don't think it's possible to legislate who one can communicate and associate with, even minors.

The only instance I can think of is if their is a protective or restraining order in place, which I doubt is all that common, or if other laws are broken in relation to the contact like harassment or assault. Even then it would be a court order for a specific instance, not a state level statute against communication based on relationship status.

akbutner2

It is possible but not likely. Most likely a misinterpretation of the law. I think in most states unless it is an open adoption there are rules as to when a biological parent can contact their child given up for adoption and the records are often sealed to the child. I know at least in the state I am from I would have to to sign and fill out forms at the probate court to have my records opened, and even then my biological parents would have to consent to me having their info. Adoptive parents really only have a say until their child turns 18 to my knowledge.

cspanny

i dont think so...up to adoptive parents

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: