Do biological relatives of an adopted child have visitation rights?

Full question:

Can an adopted child’s biological relatives have visitation rights?

  • Category: Adoption
  • Date:
  • State: Arkansas

Answer:

The final decree of adoption legally ends all relationships between the adopted child and their biological relatives, including natural parents. When a biological parent consents to the adoption, their relatives lose any legal rights to visitation, as these rights are dependent on the parent's rights, which are terminated upon adoption. This principle is supported by Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-9-215(a)(1) (Supp. 1995)). Public policy promotes a complete severance of ties between the adopted child and their biological family to serve the child's best interests, as established in the case Suster v. Arkansas Dep't of Human Services, 314 Ark. 92, 858 S.W.2d 122 (1993).

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Genetic parents generally do not have visitation rights once an adoption is finalized. The legal relationship between the child and their biological parents is severed, which includes any rights to visitation. This principle aims to protect the child's best interests and provide stability in their new family environment.