Adopting a Child in Your Home?
Each adoption is unique. Whether you're a foster parent, stepparent or relative of the child, adoption attorney Dawn Coppock helps all types of families looking to expand. Make An AppointmentLearn MoreAre You a Couple or Single with a Child or Children Already in Your Home?
There are so many different types of adoption and ways a child can come into your home in Tennessee.
Follow the link that best describes your situation.
- A relative of the child to be adopted
- A step-parent of the child to be adopted
- A state agency (DCS in Tennessee) foster parent
- Pre-adoptive parent of a child placed by a private agency
- A court made you the custodian of a child
- A child arrived in your home or is about to be given to you with little or no paperwork
- Maybe you want to adopt an adult
- Or you have already adopted and have a “post adoption” legal problem
Adoptive Parents
You want a child in your home and you are looking at options
Court Placement
You want to adopt a child placed with you by a court
Foster Parents
A child is in your home placed by DCS or another state agency
Private Agency
You have a child in your home placed by a private agency
Stepparent
You want to adopt your spouse’s child
Informal Adoption
You want to adopt a child in your home without a placement
Relative Adoption
You want to adopt the child of a relative
Adult Adoption
You want to adopt an adult
Adoptive Parents
You want a child in your home and you are looking at options
Foster Parents
A child is in your home placed by DCS or another state agency
Stepparent
You want to adopt your spouse’s child
Relative Adoption
You want to adopt the child of a relative
Court Placement
You want to adopt a child placed with you by a court
Private Agency
You have a child in your home placed by a private agency
Informal Adoption
You want to adopt a child in your home without a placement
Adult Adoption
You want to adopt an adult
About Dawn Coppock
Tennessee Adoption Attorney, Author, and Teacher
Nothing is closer to the bone than family. You must feel comfortable with the competence, values and ethics of your lawyer before you place the creation of your family in their hands. You may want to get to know Dawn a little. That’s fair.
In 1997, Dawn wrote the book on Tennessee Adoption law. She’s kept it up-to-date ever since. Coppock on Tennessee Adoption Law is now in its 7th edition and is the go-to adoption law resource for judges and lawyers in Tennessee.
For years, Dawn has been training lawyers, judges, prospective adoptive parents, students, community groups, public and private adoption agencies and has been a media resource regarding adoption law and child welfare.
Testimonials From Dawn’s Clients
“There is not a more professional person that could have ever helped to make our family complete. Dawn and her staff are without a doubt the best and we are blessed to know them. We have two beautiful children that have our last name all because Dawn and her staff desire to help guide families. We highly recommend Dawn and her staff to anyone seeking adoption.”
Former Client
“Ours was an extremely challenging adoption case. We are so grateful Dawn was our adoption attorney. The depth and breadth of her experience, strategic skill and moxie lead us to victory at the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court. We know that no other attorney could have accomplished what she did for our adoption case.”
“Tony and I would not consider using anyone but the Dawn Coppock team. Adoption is a scary and stressful process, and to know that you have an experienced, and caring team that is watching out for every aspect with your family’s interests at heart, is a Godsend. They Are Amazing!!!”
Dawn is Ready to Help with Your Unique Adoption Case
For over 30 years, Dawn has been an adoption and child-welfare advocate nationally and in Tennessee. She knows where the system is working and the places that it is not. She offers her frank assessment to policymakers (Public Outcry article), and sometimes they listen. She has drafted and passed many child-welfare bills in the Tennessee Legislature, founded, encouraged and supported advocacy organizations, educated lawyers and judges on good practice, and pointed out places that we can do better for our children, openly and behind the scenes at every opportunity. To see what Dawn has been up to recently visit her Legislative Blog.
Dawn represents families in most types of adoption and termination of parental rights cases. She also frequently consults with foster parents. Her time is increasingly dominated by writing, training, consulting, and meditating, so she can’t take every case with merit. She continues to take almost all uncontested adoptions, like agency and DCS cases and relative adoptions with consent or where the other party is unlikely to contest. Even when she can’t take a case, a consultation permits Dawn to share her experience about whether it is the right time to file a case, and if so, exactly what and where to file, and to create a litigation plan. She even suggests possible lawyers to complete the case.
If a termination of parental rights case is already underway, Dawn can also consult with one party or mediate for all parties but of course, not both.
If you want to talk with Dawn about your case: please contact Angela Newsome, paralegal, for information on Dawn’s availability and to schedule an appointment.
