Fla. Stat. 63.0427
Agreements for continued communication or contact between adopted child and siblings, parents, and other relatives


(1)

A child whose parents have had their parental rights terminated and whose custody has been awarded to the department pursuant to s. 39.811, and who is the subject of a petition for adoption under this chapter, shall have the right to have the court consider the appropriateness of postadoption communication or contact, including, but not limited to, visits, written correspondence, or telephone calls, with his or her siblings or, upon agreement of the adoptive parents, with the parents who have had their parental rights terminated or other specified biological relatives. The court shall consider the following in making such determination:Any orders of the court pursuant to s. 39.811(7).Recommendations of the department, the foster parents if other than the adoptive parents, and the guardian ad litem.Statements of the prospective adoptive parents.Any other information deemed relevant and material by the court.

If the court determines that the child’s best interests will be served by postadoption communication or contact, the court shall so order, stating the nature and frequency of the communication or contact. This order shall be made a part of the final adoption order, but the continuing validity of the adoption may not be contingent upon such postadoption communication or contact and the ability of the adoptive parents and child to change residence within or outside the State of Florida may not be impaired by such communication or contact.

(a)

Any orders of the court pursuant to s. 39.811(7).

(b)

Recommendations of the department, the foster parents if other than the adoptive parents, and the guardian ad litem.

(c)

Statements of the prospective adoptive parents.

(d)

Any other information deemed relevant and material by the court.

(2)

Notwithstanding s. 63.162, the adoptive parent may, at any time, petition for review of a communication or contact order entered pursuant to subsection (1), if the adoptive parent believes that the best interests of the adopted child are being compromised, and the court may order the communication or contact to be terminated or modified, as the court deems to be in the best interests of the adopted child; however, the court may not increase contact between the adopted child and siblings, birth parents, or other relatives without the consent of the adoptive parent or parents. As part of the review process, the court may order the parties to engage in mediation. The department shall not be required to be a party to such review.

Source: Section 63.0427 — Agreements for continued communication or contact between adopted child and siblings, parents, and other relatives, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0063.­0427 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

63.012
Short title
63.022
Legislative intent
63.032
Definitions
63.037
Proceedings applicable to cases resulting from a termination of parental rights under chapter 39
63.039
Duty of adoption entity to prospective adoptive parents
63.042
Who may be adopted
63.043
Mandatory screening or testing for sickle-cell trait prohibited
63.052
Guardians designated
63.053
Rights and responsibilities of an unmarried biological father
63.054
Actions required by an unmarried biological father to establish parental rights
63.062
Persons required to consent to adoption
63.063
Responsibility of parents for actions
63.064
Persons whose consent to an adoption may be waived
63.082
Execution of consent to adoption or affidavit of nonpaternity
63.085
Disclosure by adoption entity
63.087
Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption
63.088
Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption
63.089
Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption
63.092
Report to the court of intended placement by an adoption entity
63.093
Adoption of children from the child welfare system
63.097
Fees
63.102
Filing of petition for adoption or declaratory statement
63.112
Petition for adoption
63.122
Notice of hearing on petition
63.125
Final home investigation
63.132
Affidavit of expenses and receipts
63.135
Information to be submitted to the court
63.142
Hearing
63.152
Application for new birth record
63.162
Hearings and records in adoption proceedings
63.165
State registry of adoption information
63.167
State adoption information center
63.172
Effect of judgment of adoption
63.182
Statute of repose
63.192
Recognition of foreign judgment or decree affecting adoption
63.202
Authority to license
63.207
Out-of-state placement
63.212
Prohibited acts
63.213
Preplanned adoption agreement
63.219
Sanctions
63.222
Effect on prior adoption proceedings
63.232
Duty of person adopting
63.233
Rulemaking authority
63.235
Petitions filed before effective date
63.236
Petitions filed before July 1, 2008
63.0422
Prohibited conditions on adoptions
63.0423
Procedures with respect to surrendered infants
63.0425
Grandparent’s right to notice
63.0427
Agreements for continued communication or contact between adopted child and siblings, parents, and other relatives
63.0541
Public records exemption for the Florida Putative Father Registry
63.2325
Conditions for invalidation of a consent to adoption or affidavit of nonpaternity

Current through Fall 2025

§ 63.0427. Agreements for continued communication or contact between adopted child & siblings, parents, and other relatives's source at flsenate​.gov