When a family goes through the adoption process, whether it be domestic or international, they must complete a homestudy (sometimes spelled as two words, "home study"). An essential element of the homestudy process is for the prospective adoptive …
A Note for Foster Parents on Termination of Parental Rights in Alabama: Z.P. v. Mobile County DHR.
A Note for Foster Parents on Termination of Parental Rights in Alabama: Z.P. v. Mobile County DHR. In September 2024, this Court of Civil Appeals released an opinion that reads like a textbook on the issue of no-viable alternatives. Z.P. …
How Long Should Children Remain in Foster Care?
How Long Should Children Remain in Foster Care? Almost nothing could be more destructive to the well-being of children in foster care than delayed permanency. Sadly, we see cases where children have been in foster care for 3, 5, and 10 years. Does …
Chinese Adoption is Over. Where Do We Go From Here?
Chinese Adoption is Over. Where Do We Go from Here? In 1992 China opened its doors to international adoption. The United States has welcomed over 160,000 Chinese orphans into loving families. China has been, by far, the most numerically prominent …
Chinese Adoption is Over. Where Do We Go From Here?Read More
The Lawyers’ Role in Orphan Care
Part 1 - Heaven Comes to Town Heaven was born 10 weeks premature at Jackson Hospital. She tested positive for cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. She spent the next two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, all alone, but for the …
Congratulations to the Benson Family!
One of the chief joys for all of the staff at The Adoption Law Firm, is to bear witness to the true love and devotion that our clients have for their adopted children. Foster parents often go through long and extremely grueling weeks, months, and …
If the Juvenile Court Does Not Want to Proceed with a Foster Parent’s Trial for TPR, Can the Juvenile Court Dismiss the TPR Without Hearing Evidence?
Usually not, but in some instances, yes. First, we need to ascertain if there would be injury to any party by the juvenile court dismissing the TPR without hearing evidence. In most instances, the court’s dismissal order is injurious to the foster …
“Top-Down” Approach to Foster and Adoption
"Top-Down" Approach to Foster and Adoption If you are engaged in foster parenting or adoption, grasping this concept can change your world. And more importantly, change your child's world. Are there governing standards, rules, and laws that …
Should Foster Parents Testify at Termination of Parental Rights Trial?
“The foster mother did not testify that she intended to adopt the children." Today we cover D.M. v. Dale County DHR, released on September 20, 2024, in which Presiding Judge Moore’s writes for the majority. In D.M. the Court of Civil Appeals (Civs) …
Should Foster Parents Testify at Termination of Parental Rights Trial?Read More
