Local Firm for Family Law

What You Need to Have After a TPR Adoption

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documents you need after a TPRAfter a TPR, This Must Happen

After a TPR (termination of parental rights), after all appeals (if any) have been denied, the Department has to do some very specific things according to the Alabama Adoption Code. If DHR does not do these things, it could greatly slow down or even prevent an adoption from going forward.
Whether your a case worker trying to figure out what’s required or a foster/adoptive family trying to help your case worker, the following list of required documents for the post TPR investigation is authoritative.

Required documents after a TPR

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 26-10A-19.1, the investigation after a TPR shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
  1. Letters of suitability pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 38 for each adult living in the home of the petitioner or petitioners based on the information available in this state and the petitioner’s place of residence if other than this state.
  2. Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Public Law 109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age and older from any state in which any petitioner has resided in the preceding five years.
  3. A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members 14 years of age and older.
  4. Six reference letters, four of which are from individuals unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners by blood or marriage. The other two reference letters shall be from individuals related to the petitioner by blood or marriage. If there are two petitioners, a member from each petitioner’s family shall submit a reference letter.
  5. Medical reports on all individuals living in the home and letters from prescribing doctors for any controlled substance prescriptions.
  6. The financial worksheets for each petitioner for the previous tax year or a copy of the previous year’s tax returns.
  7. Copies of each petitioner’s birth certificate and marriage licenses or marriage certificates.
  8. Copies of any divorce decrees and settlement agreements pursuant to the divorce, if applicable.
  9. Copies of any death certificates, if applicable.
  10. A written biography of each petitioner, including medical and social history.
  11. A home safety inspection indicating that the home of the petitioner or petitioners is safe for the adoptee’s residency.
  12. Any custody orders:
    1. Pertaining to the adoptee;
    2. Pertaining to the petitioner or petitioners; or
    3. Pertaining to both the adoptee and the petitioner or petitioners.
  13. The updated medical and mental health histories of the adoptee. This information shall also be provided to the petitioner or petitioners prior to the final judgment of adoption being entered.
  14. The medical and mental health histories of the adoptee’s biological parents, if their identities are known. A nonidentifying copy of this information shall be delivered to the petitioner or petitioners.
  15. Any property or assets in which the adoptee has a financial interest or is otherwise entitled to receive in the future.
  16. Any other circumstances that may be relevant to the placement of the adoptee with the petitioner or petitioners.
  17. Any other requirement pursuant to Title 660 of the Alabama Administrative Code or any other rule adopted by the State Department of Human Resources.
  18. Any additional information required by the court in its discretion.
Pursuant to the same code section, the Department may deviate from this list only if it, “the investigator,” provides an affidavit showing good cause to do so.
Note also that all documents must be obtained within twelve months of the final hearing. That means that it is ideally no older than 10 months to provide time for the court to set and hold the final hearing.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding DHR’s investigative requirements, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. 334-546-2009