Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Private-placement adoption is when a child is adopted by someone who is not related to them. This happens after a court decides that the child is an orphan or has been abandoned, or if the parents' parental rights have been taken away. Adoption creates a parent-child relationship between the adopted child and the adoptive parents, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it. This is different from fostering or legitimation, which are other ways of creating a parent-child relationship. Adoption is usually done through a legal process and gives the adopted child the same rights as a biological child.
Private-placement adoption is a type of adoption where the birth parents and adoptive parents make an agreement without the involvement of an adoption agency. This type of adoption is also known as independent adoption.
For example, if a couple cannot have children and they know someone who is pregnant and considering adoption, they may choose to pursue a private-placement adoption. The birth parents and adoptive parents would work together to create an adoption plan and finalize the adoption through legal means.
Private-placement adoption is different from agency adoption, where an adoption agency facilitates the adoption process and matches birth parents with adoptive parents. In private-placement adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents have more control over the adoption process.