Adoptions With Love Blog

A Guide to Open Adoption in Tennessee

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Tennessee, you may be considering an open adoption plan. Open adoption offers a positive path forward for expectant mothers who are unable to parent but wish to maintain a connection with their child in the future. This option provides peace of mind, as it is not a permanent goodbye, but rather the beginning of a new relationship.

Open adoption looks different for each family, but generally, it involves ongoing communication between birth parents and adoptive parents. This allows the birth mother to choose the adoptive family and build a relationship with them. If you are considering open adoption in Tennessee, it is important to work with an experienced and qualified adoption agency that understands the state’s laws and regulations. A reputable agency will provide you with an adoption attorney, at no cost to you, to guide you through the legal aspects of the process.

Choosing to work with a Tennessee open adoption agency also means you will have access to a wide range of services, including financial, medical, and emotional support—again, all at no cost. Most importantly, working with the right agency puts you in control. All decisions regarding your pregnancy and adoption plan are entirely yours. The agency will respect and support your choices, whether it is selecting the adoptive family, deciding on the level of post-adoption contact, or receiving guidance throughout the process. With the right support, you can confidently make the decision that is best for you and your child.

What is Open Adoption in Tennessee?

Open adoption can look different for everyone, but it simply means there is ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families. With an open adoption in Tennessee, birth parents can choose their child’s adoptive parent(s) and custom design the adoption plan. This might mean emails or text messages a few times a year, phone calls, or even in-person visits. With a Tennessee open adoption, you can rest assured that there is no moment of “goodbye forever.” It is only the beginning of a new chapter.

Learn More About Tennessee Adoption

Benefits of Open Adoption in Tennessee

Open adoption in Tennessee is a common choice for expectant/birth parents and their families today, because of the many benefits it offers. There are benefits to birth mothers, adoptive parents, and – most importantly – the children being adopted.

Adoption is not the taboo subject it once was in the U.S. Many birth parents today are open about expressing how much their open adoption plan means to them. Madison, a birth mom who made her adoption plan with Adoptions With Love in 2021, had this to say about her open adoption arrangement:

“Our relationship with [the adoptive parents] and the baby is amazing. We are one big family. We speak at least once a week via text, but generally a lot more than that! We communicate with one another about what is comfortable for us, as well as the baby. We take it day by day. We get to FaceTime with him as well!”

Hope for Birth Mothers

As Madison mentioned, open adoption can help you cope with the normal feelings of grief that come with making an adoption plan. The healthy, loving relationship that you get to witness between your child and their adoptive family will help you see first-hand that your child is, without a doubt, growing up in a safe, stable, and loving home.

A Bright Future

Another powerful benefit of open adoption is the freedom it gives you to work toward your own personal and professional dreams, all while maintaining a positive relationship with your child.

Open adoption offers many benefits to children, as well. With an open adoption plan, your child has a better chance of:

  • Developing a strong sense of identity
  • Building a deeper understanding of their cultural and ethnic heritage
  • Connecting with any other biological relatives in the future
  • Gaining an understanding of why they were placed for adoption, which helps their relationships with birth parents in the future

Legal Framework for Open Adoption in Tennessee

Adoption Laws and Regulations

According to Tennessee adoption laws, expectant/birth parents may receive free supportive services and financial assistance that can be impacted by the pregnancy and birth. Some of these services include medical expenses, counseling and legal support. All adoptions should be overseen by a fully licensed adoption agency. This professional will ensure the adoption is handled safely and legally.

Rights and Responsibilities of Birth Parents

Birth parents’ rights can be complex and vary by state. In the State of Tennessee, a birth mother can sign consent for adoption no sooner than 72 hours (about 3 days) after birth.

Rights and Responsibilities of Adoptive Parents

Adoptive parents have full parental rights and responsibilities for their child once the adoption is complete. All parents must be pre-screened with a Home Study. This several-months-long process includes several screenings and background checks, multiple at-home visits and interviews, and the review of important medical and financial documents. This ensures that every child is placed with a healthy family – physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

Steps to Open Adoption in Tennessee

1. Choosing an Adoption Agency

The first step in planning your adoption is to find a Tennessee adoption agency with whom you can trust. This professional will be working with you closely to help you choose an adoptive family, build an adoption plan, and focus on your health and well-being. The right adoption agency will respect your wishes, listen to your concerns, and help put your mind at ease throughout the adoption process.

2. Preparing Adoption Documents

The next step will be to prepare the adoption documents. Your adoption agency can help guide you to be prepared and connect you with your Tennessee adoption attorney. This professional will walk you through the adoption process, let you know your rights as the birth parent, and answer any questions you may have along the way.

3. Designing an Adoption Plan

One of the benefits of choosing adoption is custom building an adoption plan that meets your needs. This plan will make you feel comfortable with – and confident in – your decision. At Adoptions With Love, you can choose between:

  • Open adoption
  • Semi-open adoption
  • Closed adoption

4. Finalizing the Adoption

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to make an adoption plan. As mentioned above, open adoption looks different for everyone who places their child for adoption. The form and frequency of contact are your decision.

Some birth mothers and adoptive families choose to stay connected with emails. Others may choose to chat on the phone a few times per year. You may choose to have in-person reunions from time-to-time. There are many options when it comes to setting up an open adoption plan. This is a personal decision that must be custom designed to fit the needs of a birth mother and her growing child.

While the decisions are all yours, you can get help in designing the open adoption plan. At Adoptions With Love, for example, your adoption counselor can work with you to help you decide what makes you most comfortable. They can facilitate the arrangement before putting it in an open adoption agreement. This plan is agreed upon before the adoption is final, but the plan may be modified as your needs, and your child’s needs, evolve over the years.

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Finding the Right Match in Tennessee

Factors to Consider When Choosing Adoptive Parents

  • Religion/Values – Is your child having a faithful family important to you?
  • Location – Do you want your child to be raised in a suburb or rural area?
  • Traditions and lifestyle – Do you want your child to have adventurous parents? Those who travel for work? How about their family traditions and culture?

Understanding the Matching Process

Your Tennessee open adoption agency will listen carefully to your desires and show you adoptive family profiles to help you get a sense of the potential adoptive families. Every prospective adoptive family has been pre-screened and approved thanks to the Home Study. You can rest assured that every individual or couple on the list is healthy, responsible, and ready to raise a child. These adoptive families can offer a safe, stable, and loving home for your child.

Establishing Initial Contact

Once you have found a family that you (may) like, you can choose to speak with – or even meet – the individual or couple before making your decision. Your adoption agency can help navigate this initial conversation. If, after this discussion, you feel comfortable with the adoptive family, you can let your adoption agency know you have made your selection.

Building a Relationship in Open Adoption

Developing Open Communication

Open adoption is all about open and honest conversations. After meeting your child’s adoptive parents, you can begin to build a relationship. Just like any relationship, this birth-adoptive parent relationship is built on trust and effective communication. Your adoption agency can help guide you through the process of building this relationship.

Setting Boundaries and Expectations

Just as communication is vital for a strong foundation, it is also important to set healthy boundaries and realistic expectations. As a birth parent, it is important to understand – and respect – that you are placing your child with adoptive parents. Once the adoption is complete, you can begin to build relationships with the adoptive family and your child, but you cannot co-parent. Your child’s adoptive parents will have full custody and parental rights of your child. It is also important for the adoptive family to respect your privacy and limits. You may find that you need some time to grieve and heal after giving birth. The relationship will be successful if both parties hold space for one another. It is vital to prepare yourself by packing compassion, understanding, and plenty of patience.

Life After Your Tennessee Open Adoption is Complete

A Tennessee open adoption works similarly to open adoption in other states. The journey of adoption does not end with finalization. Adoption is a lifelong journey. It becomes a part of all birth and adoptive families’ lives, forever touching lives.

Reputable adoption agencies, such as Adoptions With Love, oversee and manage the entire adoption process. Throughout the years, your child’s needs may change. Open adoption plans may be modified to accommodate these changing needs. Your adoption agency can assist you whenever you need it.

Free Services for Tennessee Open Adoptions

Expectant/birth mothers who choose to work with a Tennessee open adoption agency have access to the resources and support they need. There should never be any costs for birth mothers who choose adoption.

At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth mothers who make an adoption plan for their child receive the following free supportive services:

  • Housing assistance. We can cover a deposit and several months of rent.
  • Other living expenses, such as utilities, phone bills, food, transportation, and even maternity clothes, as needed.
  • Medical coverage. We can help you find a midwife or doctor with whom you feel comfortable, and cover any uninsured medical expenses related to the pregnancy, birth, and recovery.
  • Legal support. Our experienced Tennessee adoption attorneys will answer any questions you may have and meet you at a time/place that is convenient for you.
  • Counseling services, before and after adoption is
  • Ongoing contact. We can help you design an adoption plan and stay connected over the years.

At Adoptions With Love, you will always have free meetings with licensed attorneys and compassionate counselors specifically trained in Tennessee adoption. These professionals are caring, patient, and sensitive to your needs. They will listen – and really hear – your concerns, fears, and wishes, and work diligently to make sure you feel supported every step of the way.

Learn More About Tennessee Adoption

In the State of Tennessee, a birth mother must wait a few days after the baby is born to sign consent forms. This gives you time to meet your baby and think about your decision before making it final. However, you are also able to have the adoptive parents come directly to the hospital and they can take the baby at discharge.

It is never too late to place your baby for adoption in Tennessee. Whether you are in the first trimester, the third, or you have already given birth – you can always contact an adoption agency for support. You can lovingly make an adoption plan after you bring the baby home from the hospital, as well. Expectant/birth mothers thinking about open adoption in Tennessee can contact a professional for information or help in making an adoption plan at any time. There are never any fees for making an open adoption plan.

If you want to learn more about open adoption in Tennessee, contact Adoptions With Love by text (SMS) at 617-777-0072, by phone at 1-800-722-7731, or by message online. We can answer your call any time of day or night, any day of the week.

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