"Finalization hearings usually take place within a year of the time the child is placed in the home.
Hearings usually last from 30-60 minutes and establish the new legal relationship, and confirm your willingness and ability to provide for your new child.
The court will seek to establish that the child has been placed in a loving, secure home. You should be prepared to present all information included in your adoption petition, and to answer questions about why you want to adopt, how you will care for your child, how your family is and will continue adjusting, and anything else the court feels is relevant.
And when the judge signs the adoption order, you gain permanent, legal custody of your child! Finalization is the last formal step of the adoption process, but just the beginning of your new family. Post-adoption services and support should be the next step in your family life."
The above describes the final step in legalizing our adoption. For whatever reason I am over run with joy. The court date hasn't been set yet, but our lawyer contacted us today and she is finishing up the paper work. Possibly early May - AHHHHHHH. We plan on celebrating...details to come. Celebration ideas are welcome.
3 comments:
Yeah! That is fabulous news!
wahooo! How about a cute family picture to celebrate, I want one!
Definitely bring a camera (but keep in mind video cameras are usually not allowed in court rooms) to court and ask to take some pictures of you and the baby with the judge and the judge's support staff. Judges love doing adoptions, it's the only fun thing they get to do. I have never seen a judge turn down the opportunity to have their picture taken with the baby at the end of the proceeding.
One adoption I helped with, the family had an open-house party in the evening after the court date and invited friends, family, and me (the attorney! But I also knew them as friends). It was super fun!
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