Post-Adoption Contact Agreements

Part 1: What Are They?

Post-adoption contact agreements (also known as post-adoption communication agreements) are written contractual agreements between placing and adopting parents that detail how and when contact and communication will be handled following finalization of the adoption.

These agreements are generally:

governed by "best interest of the child" standards;
prepared prior to finalization of the adoption;
prepared and negotiated with the assistance of a mediator;
flexible to allow for future change;
appropriate for infant or older child adoptions.

Agreements may be expanded to include certain birth family members (grandparents, siblings, etc.), may or may not be time-limited, may or may not be legally recognized and/or enforceable.

While many agencies, attorneys, and individuals often make verbal commitments to participate in or assist with post-adoption contact, the agreements referenced here are written and negotiated cooperatively by placing and adopting parents. These adoptions are generally known as cooperative adoptions and involve voluntary relinquishment of parental rights on the part of the placing parent(s).

It should not be presumed that these agreements are easy - either to write or to maintain, and they should not be entered into lightly. They are not more binding on one party than the other: both parties are committing themselves to the child and his/her future.

See Glossary definitions:
• Cooperative Adoption
• Relinquishment

Next page > Why Make One? > Page 1, 2, 3, 4

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