[ermiller]

We are in Michigan and we had 12 weeks between the time our daughter was born and placed with us before TPR hearing was held. This was in Kent county, in 2004. As far as I know, right now the wait is about 6-8 weeks for a hearing in Kent county (we are currently waiting for our second adoption).

We had a direct placement from the mom at the hospital with temporary placement papers, meaning we had the right to get/obtain make decisions regarding our daughter's care/wellbeing but mom's rights were fully intact. It took L about 2 weeks after birth to actually sign the paperwork to petition for the adoption, the hearing was then scheduled after that.

If the birthfather has signed consents prior to birth, the hearing can sometimes be sooner but he still has to reaffirm the consent at the hearing- usually done by either showing up and saying yes he still agrees or by not showing up at all, therefore it is termination by non-appearance.

We had a case of a "missing" birthfather- he was named but he would not be found to be notified of the hearing. And he had to be notified at least 30 days prior to the hearing, because he has not already signed consents. He was finally served paperwork, just before the 30 day deadline, so fortunately our hearing wasn't postponed.

Michigan can feel like a hard state to adopt from for the adoptive parents but personally, I believe that having the extra time is more reassuring that the birthparents are confident in their choice to place.