by Dawn Coppock | Jul 13, 2023 | Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents, Legislation
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...
by Dawn Coppock | Jan 9, 2023 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, General, Legislation, News Events
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...
by Dawn Coppock | Feb 1, 2021 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, General, Legislation, News Events
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...
by Dawn Coppock | May 1, 2019 | Attorneys & Courts
Effective March 22, 2019, post adoption contracts may be legally enforceable. Learn more: In the May Tennessee Bar Journal article by Mike Jennings.At the Win/Win or Warfare seminar in June. Visit www.goodlawtn.com to register.At...
by Dawn Coppock | Mar 28, 2019 | Attorneys & Courts
Post Adoption Contact Agreements (PACA) can be legally enforceable Effective March 22, 2019 PACA FACT SHEET Post-adoption contact may not be mandated in the final order of adoption. T.C.A. §36-1-121(f)Post adoption contact may be agreed upon by contract between birth...
by Dawn Coppock | Jan 8, 2019 | Attorneys & Courts
February 3, 2023 Tennessee law grants a unique form of guardianship pursuant to surrenders and terminations of all parental rights. This guardianship confers rights tantamount to parental rights (absent inheritance rights) and can only be ended by (a) adoption or (b)...
