[tomandcate]

Congratulations max! It is a big relief, and you don't even realize how much until that day comes, and the hearing is complete.

You might want to ask the clerk of courts (if you haven't already) if videotaping is allowed - in our court, it wasn't.

For our finalization it was us, baby Sam, our lawyer, our family members, and the judge in a private courtroom.

The judge went around and asked our family members (Sam's six grandparents and step-grandparents) their names and relationships, and then we were sworn in. He asked if we wanted everyone to stay for the hearing. Then, he asked our lawyer if she wanted to handle the hearing, or wanted him to do it. Our lawyer said she would proceed.

She then asked us a lot of questions about our home, jobs, relationship, parenting, bonding, and life with Sam. She and the judge asked us several questions about Sam's and bmom's social/medical history to make sure we were aware of his background and specific situations, and that we were fully agreeing to the adoption and were not coerced into agreeing to his adoption. I'm sure this varies by state.

He then entered the final order of adoption and invited us to stay in the courtroom and take pictures (he took several with us too). The hearing probably lasted 15 minutes total.

It was a wonderful day, and I'm sure yours will be too.

Cate