Interfamily Adoptions – Part 1

Interfamily adoptions, which are more commonly known as relative adoptions, are defined as an adoption which results in the placement of a child for adoption with a relative. It could be your sister or maybe your parents or an aunt or an uncle. Like any other adoption relationship, your relative would become the legal parents of your child but you might see your child at family reunions, Christmas gatherings, get togethers, etc.

Just as with any other adoption, it’s a huge decision and perhaps one that you may already thinking of, so I wanted to provide you with some info on it for those who may be considering it. Each adoption situation and the people involved are different and may have different needs and desires. The thought of a relative adoption may scare one person, yet another person may be comforted by it.

In many states, relative adoptions are treated less formally than non relative adoptions. Sometimes they require a shortened home study or none at all, but in order for this preferential treatment to apply, the definition of relative adoption must be met for that particular state. Most states define “relative” by the degree of relatedness. In most cases, parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles, all meet the requirements of a relative. Cousins and other family members not meeting the state definition of a relative would have to pursue the adoption as a non relative adoption. Remember adoption laws vary by each state so it’s important to check your states laws.

In some cases interfamily or relative adoptions may be the best option for the child since he or she is remaining with biological family members but interfamily or relative adoptions can also change the family dynamics. It can cause strained relationships among the birth and adoptive parents. The reality is that the family dynamics and relationships may change for all family members, including future children the birthparents may have. There will be questions of relatedness. Experts feel that openness is a must in relative adoptions.

Although the child is being placed with family, a birthmother still suffers from the same grief and loss that other birthmothers feel plus has to deal with the family issues that may arrive. Tomorrow, I will share an interview with a birthmother who is involved in an interfamily adoption.

Resources:
http://www.birthmotherresources.com/birth_mother/birth_mother_placing_relatives.htm

http://www.adoptionservicesinc.com/af_relative.html

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