A.Q. v. Cullman County DHR A.Q. v. Cullman County DHR is a termination of parental rights case that should have been a slam dunk. Judge Matt Fridy writing for the Court of Civil Appeals recounted that “after [DHR worked] with the parents for about …
How to Best Participate in an ISP – What You Need to Know
What is an ISP The Individualized Service Plan (ISP) is an ordinary part of every child's case plan that comes into foster care. The Department facilitates the ISP meeting, and it usually takes place at the DHR Office (although there is no …
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What is a Guardian ad litem?
What Is a Guardian ad litem? In juvenile dependency cases, a Guardian ad litem is an attorney appointed by the Court to advocate for the child’s best interest.¹ When are Guardian ad litems Needed? According to the …
Brilliant Moves Foster Parents Don’t Know They Can Make
Foster Parents Can Intervene Foster parents can seek to become parties to the juvenile court case through intervention, but-- this isn't guaranteed. Currently in Alabama, a foster parent's right to intervene is within the sound discretion of the …
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A Bit of Advice for Foster Parents Regarding TPR
The Most Common Reason for Stalling TPR When adoption is “totally uncertain and strictly speculative,” TPR will not be upheld on appeal. This was the holding of T.W. v. Calhoun County DHR, 2023 WL 3768317 (Ala. Civ. App. June 2, 2023), an opinion …
Everything in a Home Study, All in One Place (2026)
Want to know everything about an adoption home study? This article by associate attorney Greg Locklier delves into the updates, requirements, and order of a home study in 2026. The components of a home study, or "Adoption Investigation", really …
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Grandparent Adoption: What You Need to Know in 2026
Grandparent Adoption If you are a grandparent raising your grandchild, you are in the realm of the unexpected. Undoubtedly, you never expected to be raising your grandchild. And now that you’re here, now that the reality has dawned on you that this …
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How to Adopt Your Grandchild – 4 Basic Elements
How to Adopt Your Grandchild - 4 Basic Elements Is your grandchild in need of a permanent home? Think you might be qualified to adopt your grandchild? Here are the 4 requirements for grandparent adoption in Alabama: In order to adopt your …
What You Need to Know About the Foster Care Law System
Foster Care: a System of Safety Foster care is a complicated process. The law requires specific steps to happen in the foster care system. The system is built to be a temporary safety net for children. Each case is different, but at its root, the …
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