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Even though the adoption finalization hearing is a welcome proceeding that grants the adoptive parents full guardianship of their child, it can still be intimidating. Your attorney can answer any specific questions you may have, but gaining a general understanding of the hearing can also help ease any tension you may feel about this final step in the process. These steps are typical in most adoption finalization hearings.

The 4 Steps of a Final Adoption Hearing

1. Assemblage

This brings all interest parties together to be sworn in by the judge. In addition to the adopting parents and the child to be adopted, the family’s attorney is present, and the case social worker may also attend. The hearing is closed to the public, but the adopting parents can invite other family members and friends to witness the hearing. However, guests won’t have to be sworn in since they won’t play an active role in the hearing.

2. Questioning

This involves questions posed to the parents by the attorney. The child may also be questioned at this time, but that will depend on the age or maturity of the child. You shouldn’t feel intimidated by the questions. They’re only intended to ensure you understand the responsibility of adopting a child and to ensure you’re ready to go through with the adoption. The court simply wants to establish that the parents and the child understand that the adoption is permanent even when the family may be affected by death, divorce, or terminal illness.

3. Final Questioning

Attorney-Crossville-TNThere will be a second phase of questioning, and the lawyer will want to use this opportunity to demonstrate that the parents are prepared to give the child a loving and nurturing home. The judge may also have questions for the parents or the child at this time. Once all questions have been answered, the judge will invite the family to pose for photographs as a way of documenting this crucial event.

4. Conclusion

Once the hearing has reached an end, the judge will sign a decree, which will finalize the adoption. The judge may also sign other documents related to the adoption. This may include approving a payment to the birth mother for living expenses, or it may involve signing a document that severs the parental rights of the birth parents. Your attorney will have prepared for these legal services in advance, so this will just be a matter of processing the necessary forms.

 

When you need an attorney to help you pursue an adoption, the legal team at Looney Looney & Chadwell PLLC can help you. They offer a full range of legal services — including adoptions — to help clients throughout the Crossville, TN, area. To learn more about the firm’s areas of practice, visit their website. To schedule an appointment for an initial consultation, call (931) 484-7569.

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