One of the most gratifying things that a family law attorney does is assist families through the adoption of a child. Whether the adoptee is an adult or a child, the legal establishing of the parent-child relationship is always a touching moment.
In any Tennessee adoption, there are a number of requirements that must be followed but the first step is often sitting down with a lawyer to understand the particulars of your case. Below, we’ve listed a number of documents and bits of information you’ll want to 1.) email to your lawyer ahead of time and 2.) bring with you to your consultation.
1. Identifying Information for Everyone Involved – Bring the full legal names, dates of birth, addresses and even phone numbers for the biological parents and the child. 2. Relevant Court Orders – Bring a copy of any and all court orders related to the potential adoptee. This may require taking a trip to the clerk’s office but it is well worth it. I always tell clients, “Your lawyer wants to see exactly what the Judge sees when he opens your file.”
3. Child’s Birth Certificate – The child’s birth certificate and the information on it will be needed should you decide to file a Petition for Stepparent Adoption.
4. Documentation Supporting Grounds for Termination – Before a child can be adopted by a step-parent, the rights of the living biological parent must be terminated first. There are more than 20 different grounds upon which termination of parental rights can occur. They are set forth in T.C.A. 36-1-113. If you have any documentation that will help your attorney prove the necessary grounds, bring that to the consultation. 5. Patience – Adoption proceedings are especially technical. Every statute and every rule must be followed to the tee. There can be any number of setbacks and challenges no matter how prepared you are. The best thing to do is to arm yourself with patience.
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