Contact Veto: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Legal Definition and Impact
Definition & Meaning
Contact veto refers to a legal provision in adoption that allows an individual"either a biological parent or an adopted child"to formally prevent contact with the other party. This means that if a biological parent has registered a contact veto, they have the right to stop their child from reaching out to them after adoption. Similarly, an adopted child can also register a veto to prevent contact from their biological parent. This legal mechanism is designed to respect the wishes of individuals who may not be ready or willing to engage in contact.
Legal Use & context
Contact veto is primarily used in family law, particularly in the context of adoption. It plays a crucial role in the adoption process by allowing individuals to assert their preference regarding contact with biological relatives. This can be particularly relevant for adoptees who reach adulthood and wish to seek out their biological parents. Legal forms related to registering a contact veto are often available through platforms like US Legal Forms, enabling users to manage the process independently.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
(Hypothetical example) Jane, an adopted child, reaches adulthood and wishes to find her biological parents. However, her biological mother has registered a contact veto, meaning Jane cannot contact her directly. Instead, Jane can access non-identifying information through the adoption registry.
(Hypothetical example) John, a biological father who placed his child for adoption, registers a contact veto to prevent any future contact from his child. If his child seeks identifying information, they must agree in writing not to reach out to him.