[kydz_7]

After 17 months of no contact by birthmother ~ she is contesting TPR Our girls are sisters ~18mth old med. fragile and 2 year old sister and new sib due in Dec.
We also have a 2.5 yr. girl TPR the same day...and again BMom contesting....neither have a chance according to caseworker BUT we will most likely need to testify either at jury trial or best interest of child hearing....what should we be prepared to be asked....How can I even begin to explain to a cold court room how these children are my life....and we are every to them. My spec. needs little girl life depended on me everyday for the past 17 months. I am so furious b-parents can pull this after absolutley no effort or interest for well over a year and a half. any words of wisdom???????

[Yash]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I've never had to testify, but do you think you could get from the CW or the girls' lawyer a list of questions that could be or might be asked so at least you would have some idea and can think up some answers that are factual yet at the same time convey how much you love these girls. Maybe a description of what a day in the life of your medically fragile daughter was or is like and then how much progress she has made. Just some ideas of the top of my head. Best of luck.

[naca]

I had to testify at FS' TPR trial. DCS' attorney went over questions ahead of time so I'd be semi-prepared to answer. Mainly I had to state the extent of his medical needs, his biological parents participation (zilch) in his dr appts, what I felt their understanding of his needs were, how he reacted to visits with them..ect..

[jbee]

i had to two times at an attempted tpr and then the real one for ds. they asked me my name, blah blah blah, when bmom and son came to live with us, how she acted with him, how responsible she was with him, how she left, if we heard from her, dates and stuff like that. don't be afraid to tell them you don't know or aren't sure of specifics, or to ask them to clarify or repeat themselves.

[sethsmommy]

Dh just had to do this very thing. The DA called in advance to ask him the same questions he asked him in court. Bio mom was also contesting. He was just asked if any services were being used for the kids, how their behaviors were and are, what did they need....it was really very easy. The only thing the bio mom's attorney pressed was what relationship bio-mom's parents could have. We left that very general. Anyway, we were nervous but I think his testimony was very profitable to us "winning."