Dawn’s Blog

News, Updates and Resources for Legal Professionals and those who follow adoption law

Retired? Now, Who Will Represent Tennessee Families?

Hello blog readers, Some say, “Who will represent birth and adoptive families now?" I don’t share that concern. There has long been a handful of highly skilled, experienced, adoption-focused lawyers across Tennessee who are my peers and friends. I’m comfortable that...
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A tweak to the federal adoption tax credit will put $5000 into some adoptive families’ pockets

The adoption tax credit is a lovely thing. It offers a direct financial benefit to families who adopt. The benefit is better for families who adopt special needs children. There is much written about the policy and mechanics of the federal adoption tax credit. It is...
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Publication on Missing Respondent Birth Parents Just Got Harder and More Expensive

Have a look at 2025 TN Public Chapter 500.   Basically, it requires that when we give notice by publication in a newspaper, we must also publish in a paid local online platform, where one exists. But the TN Press Association already has a free...
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Finalization – Six Months or Three Months?

Question: I understand that the waiting period for adoption, the time the child must live with the prospective adoptive family before the adoption can be finalized, has been reduced from 6 months to 3 months, correct? Answer: Not exactly. The waiting period is still 6...

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...

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...

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.