Dawn’s Blog
News, Updates and Resources for Legal Professionals and those who follow adoption law
Of course, you can adopt an adult in Tennessee!
This is not a debated or murky point of Tennessee law. You just can. I do 2 or 3 adult adoptions a year and I have for decades. See Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-1-117(j). (1) When the person sought to be adopted is eighteen (18) years of age or older, only the...
A Voice in Court for Foster Parents
Effective July 1, 2023 Big addition to foster parent's right to participate in hearings. T.C.A. § 37-2-415 (a)(17) - (Public Chapter 263)For some time, the court has been required to promptly notify foster parents of all court hearings regarding their foster...
Public outcry is needed for Tennessee to fix the Department of Children’s Services
Public outcry is needed for Tennessee to fix the Department of Children's Services - Opinion - By Dawn Coppock - Published by The Tennessean, The Knoxville News Sentinel & The Commercial Appeal - January 4, 2023. Click the blue link for the full text of Dawn's...
Dawn’s Deep Dive into Tennessee’s Best Interest Statute – The Cover Story in July / August TBA Journal
Read it here: - TBA Journal - July / August 2021
Tennessee’s best interest factors are now BETTER
On April 22, 2021, the Governor signed HB200/SB205, new factors for judges to consider to determine the best interest of a child in a termination of a parental rights case. My detailed analysis is HERE.
Legislative Advocacy Video Plus Sample Letter
https://youtu.be/D-C9_Z5I2uI Click above to play the legislative advocacy video. Sample legislator letter below: Dear Senator (or Representative) Schmo: I live in XXXX (If you live in the lawmaker's district). I am an attorney/adoptive parent/ environmental...
PASSED: Tennessee Legislative Update – Best Interest of the Child – HB200/SB205
In Tennessee, to terminate a parent’s rights the petitioner (Agency or prospective adoptive parents) must prove grounds “against” the parent AND also must prove that termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interest. In most cases, proof of...
Interesting, Dynamic, The Tennessee Adoption Code
Adoption is a microcosm of values, politics, psychology, economics, public policy, emotion and aggressively competing interests. It is interesting, dynamic, and, in the past three legislative sessions here in Tennessee, very active. Let’s hit the high points.
Post Adoption Contact
Effective March 22, 2019, post adoption contracts may be legally enforceable.