Oooooo-klahoma. I know you're singing it with me. Any time the name of the state is mentioned, someone in the room is bound to burst out with that song. Laughter is sure to follow. It's a feel-good kind of song! But are the laws regarding Post-Adoption Contact Agreements in the state of Oklahoma as "feel-good"?

Let's see.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements? Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7505-1.5 If a child has resided with a birth relative before being adopted, the adoptive parents... more

Living in Ohio now, I looked up the information on Post-Adoption Contact Agreements with hopeful interest. While I didn't live here when I placed, I was hopeful for the birth and adoptive families that do and will come to be within this state over time. To put it simply, I was highly disappointed. Even more so, I worry for the future of families who want some form of openness within their adoption. Ohio offers little support for these kinds of families.

Let's see why.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements?... more

I really like North Carolina. I have family members that have lived there for most of my life. We take a majority of our vacations to the North Carolina shore with Emerald Isle being our favorite destination for such adventures. And while I got bug bites like no other while we were inland visiting said family this past summer during vacation, I had a great time in the state where pine trees grow not too far from the ocean. (I'm always amazed driving from just a half hour inland to the coast how it looks like you're in a forest and then, BAM! The beach!)

But I'm... more

I love New York. The city. The state itself. I just like New York! And after researching how the state handles post-adoption contact agreements, I have even more love for the state. I mean, the state song is, "I Love New York." Well, I do, too!

Let's see why.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements? Citation: Soc. Serv. Law § 383-c(2)(b); Dom. Rel. Law § 112-b [Effective 12-21-05] The parties to an adoption may enter into a written agreement providing for communication or... more

Welcome to New Mexico indeed! I'm excited to share this state's look at post-adoption contact agreements with you even if, in the end, we do have a few minor questions. Some of the wording that this state brings to the game is so far advanced from previous states that we've looked at that I can't help but jump for joy. Of course, the state's motto is, "It grows as it goes." And that's how we should be looking at certain adoption issues when it comes to the laws the govern them, isn't it? They change and grow as we go along and learn things.

And New Mexico is... more

New Hampshire's state fruit is the pumpkin. (Did you know pumpkin is a fruit?) And so it's fitting to review this state's outlook on post-adoption contact agreements with only two days left before Thanksgiving. (You know you're thinking about pumpkin pie right now.) (I am!)

It's not too shabby. Not the best, but really, not too shabby.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements? Citation: Rev. Stat. § 170-B:14 [Effective January 1, 2006] Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as... more

Nevada. When I think of Nevada, I think of the desert, don't you? Do you find it interesting to learn that the state's name, with origins in Spanish, means "snow-capped?" It kind of changes my view of the state. And, after reading through their post-adoption contact agreement statutes, I actually have a better impression of the state as a whole than I had previously kept. Our 35th largest state (population wise from the 2000 census) seems to have some inkling about the topic.

Let's take a look, shall we?

What may be included in postadoption... more

Anything has to be better than the previous two states we've looked at, right? One would assume. Of course, I don't know what's better: states that seem completely oblivious to the issue(s) at hand or a state that almost gets it, on a few levels, but doesn't quite "bring it" to the level necessary in a complex matter such as post-adoption contact agreements. Either way,... more

I've never been to Montana. And after studying their post-adoption contact agreement laws, I'm glad that I didn't live in Montana when I placed the Munchkin for adoption. Basically the statutes leave us asking more questions than when we began.

Let the frustrations begin.

What may be included in postadoption contact agreements? Citation: Ann. Code § 42-5-301 An express written agreement may be entered into between the birth parent and the prospective adoptive parent for contact or communication between the adoptee... more

For those unfamiliar with the State Statute Search, it's really simple to use. You go to the page, select the state(s) you're interested in and then put a check mark next to the issue(s) you want information regarding. When researching post-adoption contact agreements, you either see a page full of writing or the words, "These issues are not addressed in statutes reviewed." A page full of words, of course, means that the state has addressed the issue. And so, I always get excited when I... more