Connecticut is one of the states that allow legally enforceable Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACAs) between birth parents and adoptive families. When you work with the court to approve a written agreement before placement, Connecticut courts can enforce that agreement to help maintain the connection you want with your child.

The agreement becomes part of the final adoption decree, which means you have legal options if communication breaks down. At American Adoptions, we help you create clear agreements with adoptive families who genuinely want to maintain openness, and we provide ongoing support to help those relationships thrive long after placement.

Contact us today to speak with an adoption specialist about creating a legally enforceable open adoption agreement in Connecticut.

Open Adoption Agreements Explained: What They Mean for You

An open adoption agreement (also called a Post-Adoption Contact Agreement or PACA) is a written plan that describes how you and your child's adoptive family will stay in contact after placement. These agreements typically include:

• How often you'll exchange photos, letters, texts, or phone calls
• Whether you'll have in-person visits and how frequently
• Special occasions when additional contact might happen (birthdays, holidays)
• How communication will evolve as your child grows

You create this agreement before placement, working closely with your adoption specialist and the adoptive family.

According to Connecticut General Statutes § 45a-715(h), for the agreement to be legally enforceable, it must be:

• In writing
• Voluntarily signed by both you and the adoptive parents
• Approved by the court as being in the child's best interest
• Entered before your parental rights are terminated

Once the court approves your agreement, it becomes part of the final adoption decree and can be enforced if needed.

What Are the Benefits of Open Adoption for Birth Mothers?

Open adoption offers emotional benefits that birth parents consistently describe as invaluable. When you maintain contact with your child and their family, you experience:

• Ongoing reassurance that your child is thriving and happy
• Relief from uncertainty about your child's wellbeing and circumstances
• Connection to your child's milestones through photos, updates, and visits
• Peace of mind knowing your child understands their adoption story
• Support from the adoptive family who respects your role in their lives

Many birth mothers share that open adoption helps them process their emotions of adoption in a healthy way. Rather than wondering and worrying, you get to see your child growing up in the family you chose for them.

Open adoption doesn't mean you're parenting your child or that boundaries don't exist. It means you're creating a relationship that honors everyone involved, including your child's need to understand their identity and story.

How Do Connecticut Laws on Open Adoption Protect Adoptive Children?

Connecticut law prioritizes the best interests of adopted children while recognizing the value of maintaining connections between birth families and adoptive families.

According to Connecticut General Statutes § 45a-715(i), courts will only approve post-adoption contact agreements when they determine that maintaining contact serves the child's welfare.

This legal framework means:

• Courts evaluate each agreement to ensure it benefits the child
• Agreements must be voluntary and not coerced
• The adoption itself remains final regardless of whether contact continues
• If circumstances change significantly, either party can petition the court to modify the agreement

When you work with American Adoptions, you'll understand exactly what Connecticut law says about your rights before and after placement. Your adoption specialist will connect you with resources to help you make informed decisions about giving your baby up for adoption in Connecticut.

What Happens If an Open Adoption Agreement is Broken?

Connecticut law provides legal recourse if an adoptive family stops following your court-approved open adoption agreement. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 45a-715(m), you can petition the court to enforce or modify the agreement, though you must first attempt mediation or other dispute resolution in good faith.

Here's how the process works:

Mediation: Before going to court, Connecticut law requires that you participate in mediation or another dispute resolution process. American Adoptions provides mediation services to help restore communication. Your adoption specialist can:

• Facilitate conversations between you and the adoptive family
• Help address misunderstandings or changing circumstances
• Suggest adjustments to the agreement that work better for everyone
• Provide ongoing counseling and support

Court Petition: If mediation doesn't resolve the issue, you can petition the court to enforce or modify the agreement.

Disagreements about contact cannot affect the validity of the adoption itself. The adoption remains final, and disputes about the agreement cannot be used to revoke the adoption or affect custody.

How Do I Find Adoptive Parents Who Want Open Adoption in Connecticut?

When you're ready to find an adoptive family, you'll review carefully screened families who are already committed to open adoption and maintaining contact with birth parents.

When you review family profiles through American Adoptions, you'll see:

• Each family's preferences for the level of openness they're comfortable with
• Photos and letters that give you a genuine sense of who they are
• Their thoughts on maintaining relationships with birth families
• Details about their home, community, and values

You choose which families you'd like to learn more about. Your adoption specialist will facilitate communication so you can get to know them through phone calls, video chats, or in-person meetings.

This process helps you determine whether their commitment to openness feels genuine and sustainable.

Open Adoption from a Birth Mother's Perspective

Hearing directly from someone who has experienced open adoption through American Adoptions can help you understand what the journey looks like from a birth mother's perspective.

Watch this video where a birth mother shares her experience with open adoption:

You can read more about the benefits of adoption for birth mothers on our website, including first-person accounts from women who chose American Adoptions for their adoption journey.

The Role of American Adoptions in Your Open Adoption Journey

American Adoptions serves as your advocate and mediator throughout your Connecticut adoption journey. We help you navigate the emotional and practical aspects of creating and maintaining an open adoption.

Here's how we support you:

Before Placement:

• Explain Connecticut's laws about are open adoptions legally enforceable so you understand your rights
• Help you articulate what level of openness feels right for you
• Facilitate meetings between you and prospective adoptive families
• Assist in creating a post-adoption contact agreement that meets Connecticut's legal requirements

After Placement:

• Provide ongoing counseling and emotional support
• Mediate communication between you and the adoptive family if needed
• Help adjust agreements as circumstances change over time
• Connect you with other birth parents who have experienced open adoption

All of our adoptive families agree to at least some degree of contact and commit to at least one in-person visit within the first five years of the child's life if you request it. This baseline ensures that every family in our network values the relationship with birth parents.

Get Free Information about the adoption process or contact us today to schedule a consultation with an adoption specialist.

Remember, you're not giving up on your child. You're choosing a brighter future for both of you.

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