Alabama’s current adoption code was ratified in 1991 and has served the State and its families and its children well. But, it’s days are numbered. On December 31, 2023, it will be retired and the new and improved adoption code will go live on January 1, 2024.
There are trainings being held across the State to help adoptive parents, attorneys, social workers, and judges understand the new adoption code. In addition to in-person trainings, The Adoption Law Firm will try to provide a steady drip of the more impactful changes.
So, the first question that any good analyst asks is, “What’s my deadline?”
More precisely, if an adoption is filed prior to the new year, but doesn’t finalize until after the new year, will the old code or the new code apply?
As long as the adoption is “commenced”, or filed, prior to January 1, 2024, the old adoption code will apply. Old code v. new code probably doesn’t affect much for most folks. But, for the families that are pursuing adoption on grounds of implied consent, it could be a game stopper to have the new adoption code govern the proceedings.
Why, you may ask?
Because the new adoption code all but eliminates the irrevocability of implied consent.
When Adoption is Totally Uncertain and Strictly Speculative