Legal Definitions - cooperative adoption

Cooperative adoption refers to an adoption arrangement where there is an agreed-upon level of ongoing communication or interaction between the adoptive family and the birth family, or other significant individuals from the child's past, after the adoption is finalized. This contrasts with a "closed adoption," where there is no contact or information exchange. The specific terms of cooperation are typically established through a written agreement and can vary widely, ranging from sharing letters and photos to occasional visits.

Here are some examples illustrating cooperative adoption:

• Example 1: Domestic Infant Adoption with Ongoing Updates

  A birth mother makes an adoption plan for her newborn. She carefully selects an adoptive couple who agrees to a cooperative adoption arrangement. Under this agreement, the birth mother will receive annual photo albums and letters detailing the child's development, and they will have a supervised visit every three years until the child turns 18. This arrangement allows the birth mother to have peace of mind about her child's well-being while providing the adoptive family with an understanding of the child's origins.

  This illustrates cooperative adoption because both the birth mother and the adoptive parents have mutually agreed to an ongoing exchange of information and limited direct contact, fostering a relationship that benefits all parties involved, especially the child.

• Example 2: Adoption of an Older Child from Foster Care Maintaining Sibling Ties

  A couple adopts a 9-year-old boy from the foster care system. The boy has a younger biological sister who was adopted by a different family. Recognizing the importance of the sibling bond, the adoptive parents of both children agree to a cooperative arrangement. They commit to facilitating regular video calls between the siblings and arranging for them to spend a weekend together twice a year. This ensures the children can maintain their relationship despite living in separate homes.

  This demonstrates cooperative adoption as the adoptive families of the siblings work together to maintain a vital connection for the children, showing cooperation beyond just the birth parents and adoptive parents, but involving other significant family members.

• Example 3: Relative Adoption with Birth Parent Communication

  A grandmother adopts her two young grandchildren after their biological mother (the grandmother's daughter) is unable to care for them. While the adoption legally transfers parental rights to the grandmother, all parties agree to a cooperative arrangement. The birth mother is allowed to have supervised visits with her children once a month and receives updates on their schooling and health, provided she adheres to specific behavioral guidelines. This allows her to remain a part of her children's lives in a structured and safe manner.

  This exemplifies cooperative adoption because the adoptive parent (grandmother) and the birth parent (daughter) have established a formal agreement for ongoing communication and contact, balancing the children's need for stability with the birth parent's desire to maintain a relationship.