Local Firm for Family Law
Over the last four years, many foster children have failed to achieve permanency in an adoptive homes due to the fresh-facts of dependency movement. Or, at least the perception among many practitioners of the Court of Civil Appeals' apparent campaign …
“Fresh Facts of Dependency” Movement May Be Coming to an End: Track the Rise of M.A.J.Read More
It is a new year, and in Alabama we have a new adoption code. As some of the home study requirements have changed, we have created a new checklist and are happy to make this resource available. To download a copy, just click on the link. New …
In S.R., the Court of Appeals rejected a constitutional challenge to the McLendon standard. In March 2020, the juvenile court ordered that the children were dependent and awarded custody to B.G. and K.G., the custodians. The March 2020 orders were …
In recent rulings, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals has overturned the termination of one’s parental rights (TPR) if an adoptive placement has not been identified. T.W. v. Calhoun Cnty. Dep’t Hum. Res., [Ms. CL-2022-0694, June 2, 2023] ___ So. 3d …
A Brief on R.A. v. Madison County Department of Human Resources: A Change in Course for TPRRead More
The Alabama Civil Court of Appeals recently released its ruling in D.S. v. L.T. in which a father appealed the termination of his parental rights on the grounds that the evidence did not establish that no viable alternative existed. The father refers …
A Brief on D.S. v. L.T: When Is It Appropriate to Overturn TPR?Read More
Children Need their Caregivers to Intervene and Become Parties to Juvenile Court Matters: M.S. and D.S., CL-2023-0223 (Ala. Civ. App. Oct. 20, 2023) A child’s matter in the juvenile court is assigned a case number and an action number. For …
The McLendon Standard Revisited by Court of Civil Appeals: S.R. v. B.G. and K.G., November 3, 2023, Appeal from Morgan County Juvenile Court; Opinion authored by Judge Christy Edwards. 1984 was a year of endurance. In May of that year, the Chicago …
Under Alabama's old Adoption Code, a birth parent could withdraw their consent for any reason within the first five days. There was another window from day six to day fourteen where a birth parent could withdraw their consent. However, prior to …
Alabama’s New Adoption Code Takes Effect January 1, 2024Read More
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 …
