Adopteerimine

Adopteerimine, or adoption, is the legal process by which a person or couple assumes the parental rights and responsibilities for a child who is not their biological offspring. Adoption creates a permanent parent–child relationship and transfers legal custody, duties, and authority from the birth parents (or guardians) to the adoptive parents. The adopted child typically gains the same legal status within the family as a biological child, affecting matters such as inheritance and family records.

Adopteerimine can be domestic, occurring within a single country; international, involving a child from another country; or specialized, such as step-parent adoption or adult adoption. The openness of the relationship with the birth family varies: some adoptions are closed with limited contact, others are open, allowing ongoing information exchange or visitation.

The process usually involves eligibility checks, a home study or similar assessment, informed consent from birth parents or termination of their rights, and a court judgment finalizing the adoption. In many jurisdictions, the adoptee’s and birth parents’ rights and duties are legally terminated or altered, and the adoptive parents acquire full parental authority. Some forms of adoption allow ongoing contact or post-adoption arrangements.

Adoption aims to provide a stable and nurturing family environment and to safeguard the welfare of the child. It also raises ethical considerations, such as access to birth records and the handling of the child’s origins. Post-adoption support, including counseling and services for families and adoptees, is commonly available to address ongoing needs.