Much of the history of adopted children/ adolescents is permeated by feelings of abandonment,separation and/or interruption of any emotional bond. Statistics of the Court of Appeals of the State of Rio Grande do Sul show that children/adolescents are separated from their families primarily due to abandonment, abuse, family disintegration, illness of parents and issues regarding the economic situation of the family. It can be seen that families are not always able to care for their children. The removal of the child/adolescent from their family context can lead to psychological consequences, such as the pain of not being accepted by their biological family . Thus, the decision for this separation is the major responsibility of the professional applying the measure. It is for the Courts and the professionals responsible to seek their reintegration,whether into their own family or into a substitute family,as rapidly as possible.The Statute of Children and Adolescents prioritizes family reintegration. Whenever possible,emotional bonds with the family of origin should be addressed, prior to the decision for the placement of the child/adolescent in a substitute family. However,during the period in which attempts are made to verify whether the biological family is able to receive the child/adolescent back, or whether the child/adolescent will be sent to a foster home, a sheltering institution will be their new home.