Dawn’s Law Blog
News, Opinions, and Resources for Legal Professionals
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...
Post Adoption Contact
Effective March 22, 2019, post adoption contracts may be legally enforceable.
Tennessee Legislative Update (HB 0288/SB 0207)
Post Adoption Contact Agreements (PACA) can be legally enforceable, effective March 29, 2019.
TN DCS Reversal – Will Apply ICPC to Children Leaving Tennessee with Guardians
The recently announced change is significant. Some transitional education and confusion is to be expected. But the net effect is a reduction in legal fees and length of travel for many non-resident prospective adoptive families.
Tennessee’s New Adoption Law
From the Tennessee Bar Journal’s July 2018 cover story by Dawn Coppock and Michael Jennings, read the article here discussing the new adoption legislation that went into effect yesterday.
Lawyers- New surrender form, formatted and with instructions. Here. Now.
To be used beginning July 1st, 2018 Click here for the new surrender form available in WORD and PDF formats Lawyers and Clerks- If you have determined that a surrender is the correct process for a voluntary termination of parental rights in your case, you will find...
First In Adoption passes in the Senate with all YES votes! — It is on the way to the Governor’s Desk.
Today the Tennessee Senate unanimously passed the First in Adoption bill without amendment or even discussion. If the Governor signs the bill as expected, it will become law on July 1, 2018. First in Adoption makes a number of pro-child modifications in many areas of...
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