In April 2015 our family found out that we got matched with a little boy. We had been waiting for this moment for quite a while and had so many questions. When you first get matched to your new child or sibling there are so many unknowns. When will we get to meet...
Open adoptions consist of a spectrum of contact between the birth family and the adoptive family. Open adoptions are in contrast with closed adoptions, in which there is no contact with the birth family. In a closed adoption, the identities of the birth family...
On July 1, 2018, the First in Adoption Act takes effect in Tennessee. The changes relate to the Tennessee Surrender Form and process, termination of parental rights, abandonment, and residency requirements for adoption. The major changes are discussed below. Changes...
Changing and obtaining birth certificates is a large part of what we do at the Adoption Law Center of Middle Tennessee, PLLC. Every Petition For Adoption has the child’s original birth certificate attached. And every Final Decree of Adoption includes an Order for...
What Is A Waiver of Interest and Notice? A Waiver of Interest and Notice is a form taken directly from the Tennessee adoption statute. A Waiver of Interest can only be signed by a putative father. (For more information about fathers, click here. [link to Blog: Don’t...
Prior to an adoption, the parental rights of all parents and guardians must be terminated. In re The Adoption of Angela E. et al was a case decided by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2013. The case discusses how parental rights in Tennessee may be terminated based...
In Re Baby was a surrogacy case decided by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2013. The case reviews several important statutes relevant to adoption and surrogacy law. In Re Baby upheld the validity of traditional surrogacy contracts in Tennessee. The court found that...
One of the first issues that arises when the biological mother gives birth is covering her medical bills and that of the newborn child. If the birth mother already receives Medicaid, the hospital will usually assist her in completing an application for the baby. ...
Typically celebrated on the Saturday before the week of Thanksgiving, National Adoption Day is designed to raise awareness of the more than 110,000 children in foster care throughout the U.S. who are waiting to find permanent and loving families. National Adoption Day...
Stepparent adoptions are a beautiful expression of love and commitment. They are the most common form of adoption. They are often motivated by the desire to unify the family’s last name and for the parent/child relationship to be formally recognized. Many of the other...
