If you're considering bringing a child into your home through adoption, you've probably found yourself considering the different types of adoptions trying to decide which one is right for your situation. It's important that you discuss your options with your family law attorney, but the more you know beforehand, the easier it will be to make a decision. Here's a look at the benefits of each type of adoption to help you decide which one might be right for you.

Closed Adoption

A closed adoption is one in which there is no identifying information or contact information shared between the parties. As the adoptive parents, you won't know who the birth parents are, nor will they know who you are. For adoptive parents who want privacy and want to avoid the risk of letdowns for their child later, this is often a popular choice. It also allows adopted children to move forward feeling as though they belong where they are, not torn between two families. Some birth parents find that this also makes it easier to move forward after the adoption, because they are able to completely separate themselves from it.

Mediated Adoption

A mediated adoption is sort of a middle ground between a completely closed proceeding and an open adoption. During a mediated adoption, the adoptive parents and the birth parents are able to exchange information through the use of a neutral third party, often a family law attorney or social worker. No identifying information is shared, but future cards, letters and pictures can be sent through the third party. This gives birth parents an opportunity to remain in some form of contact with their child and the adoptive family, and it gives adoptive children a concrete sense of their birth parents. This process also makes it easier for the adoptive parents to understand the child's medical history and family genetics.

Open Adoption

In an open adoption, the birth family and adoptive family communicate freely, with contact information shared and face-to-face meetings on a regular basis. This provides adoptive parents with easy access to information about their child's medical history and genetic concerns. It also ensures that adoptive children can develop a complete sense of who they are, both biologically and otherwise. Birth parents who want to maintain a lifelong relationship with the child even if they are unable to raise them may prefer this option.

Knowing your choices is the first place to start to determine what kind of adoption is right for your family. Talk with a family law attorney such as The Law Offices of Paul F. Moore II today to explore your options.