Communication And Contact Agreement And Order Stepparent {ADO-212}

State of Minnesota County Judicial District: Court File Number: Case Type: District Court Adoption ­ Stepparent In Re the Petition of: , Petitioner/Parent and , Petitioner/Stepparent To Adopt: , (child's current name) , (child's current name) . (child's current name) Communication and Contract Agreement and Order 1. This agreement is made between [name of Petitioner/Parent] [hereinafter "parent"] and [name of Petitioner/Stepparent] [hereinafter "stepparent"] and [nonpetitioning parent's name] [hereinafter "non-petitioning parent"] who is consenting to the adoption of: the child named child born on the child named child born on the child named child born on . [child's name], a [date of birth]; [child's name], a [date of birth]; and [child's name], a [date of birth]. [male/female] [male/female] [male/female] 2. This agreement is made pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 259.58, which allows adoptive parents and birth relatives to make legally enforceable their agreement to have contact with one another after the adoption is finalized. 3. We understand that the law views adoption as the irrevocable severance of all parental rights of the birth parent with respect to the adopted child. We understand that legally adopted children are the children of the adoptive parents as if born to them. All parties to this agreement are committed to a relationship that is in the child's best interest now and in the future. ADO212 State ENG Rev 7/15 www.mncourts.gov/forms Page 1 of 5 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 4. We understand that Minnesota Statutes § 259.58 allows a communication or contact agreement to be part of the written order finalizing an adoption. We also understand that failure to comply with the communication or contact agreement will never be a reason for a court to rescind the adoption. We understand that any differences about this agreement, or any changes needed because of new circumstances, will have to be settled directly by the parties or resolved in family court. 5. WHEREAS parent is the birth mother and non-petitioning parent is the birth father of the above-named child(ren); and 6. WHEREAS the child(ren) has/have been in the home of the Petitioners (parent and stepparent) since [date child(ren) began living with adoptive parents]; and 7. WHEREAS the stepparent plans to adopt the child(ren) as soon as possible; and 8. WHEREAS the non-petitioning parent wishes to continue to have contact with the parent, stepparent, and child(ren) after the adoption is finalized; and 9. WHEREAS all parties agree that such contact is in the best interests of the minor child(ren); 10. NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows: a. Current Contact Information: Until each child reaches the age of 18, the parties shall provide current addresses and phone numbers to each other and shall update this information as it changes. Current contact information is as follows: Name Birth mother Birth father Adoptive mother Adoptive father Address Phone Number b. Photographs and Letters for Birth Parents: i. The parent and stepparent agree to provide the non-petitioning parent with letters and photos when the child(ren) is/are ages . ADO212 State ENG Rev 7/15 www.mncourts.gov/forms Page 2 of 5 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com ii. After the child(ren) reaches age , the parent and stepparent agree to provide photos and letters times each year until the child(ren) reaches age . iii. After the child(ren) reaches age , the parent and stepparent agree to provide photos and letters times each year until the child(ren) reaches age . iv. The photos will include a collection of snapshots from throughout the year and posed portraits, such as school photos. The photos will include some of the child(ren) with family and other people in the child(ren)'s life, and some of the child(ren) alone. c. Photographs and Letters for the Child(ren): The non-petitioning parent agrees to provide letters and photographs of the non-petitioning parent to the parent and stepparent to give to the child(ren). The non-petitioning may also provide the parent and stepparent with occasional gifts for the child(ren). d. Face-to-Face Meetings Between Parents: The non-petitioning parent and the parent and stepparent want to have ongoing visitation with each other. The visitation will take place at a mutually agreed upon location. The parties agree to visit times during the next [period of time]. Visitation between parents will continue until the point at which it becomes confusing for the child(ren) or uncomfortable for the parties. e. Future Face-to-Face Contact With Child: The parent and stepparent agree to arrange for the child(ren) to meet the non-petitioning parent at an appropriate age and time, if the child(ren) so desires. The parent and stepparent and non-petitioning parent are open to discussing visitation between the non-petitioning parent and child(ren). f. Notification of Death or Serious Illness to Birth Parent: The parent and stepparent agree to notify the non-petitioning parent of the death or serious illness of either of them or the child(ren) as soon as it is reasonably possible to do so. g. Notification of Death or Serious Illness to Adoptive Parents: The non-petitioning parent agrees to notify the parent and stepparent of the death or serious illness of the non-petitioning parent [and his/her siblings and/or parents] as soon as it is reasonably possible to do so. 11. The above terms and conditions of communication and contact constitute the entire agreement between the parties concerning the non-petitioning parent's rights to communicate with or contact the child(ren) after the adoption is finalized. ADO212 State ENG Rev 7/15 www.mncourts.gov/forms Page 3 of 5 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Dated: Signature of non-petitioning parent [sign only in front of notary public] Printed name of non-petitioning parent Dated: Signature of petitioning parent [sign only in front of notary public] Printed name of petitioning parent Dated: Signature of petitioning stepparent [sign only in front of notary public] Printed name of petitioning stepparent On this day of , before me personally appeared the persons described herein who executed the foregoing communication and contact agreement. Notary Public , ADO212 State ENG Rev 7/15 www.mncourts.gov/forms Page 4 of 5 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com FINDINGS Based upon the above representations and agreements of the parties, this Court fin