[momma24rn]

Just curious from those of you who have been through it.
J's parent's TPR trial begins this week. We have been told we are welcome to come but not required and will "probably not need to testify".
I was suprised at this. I thought from reading other posts that we would need to talk about pre/post visit behaviors, how he's doing, etc.
Just wondering your thoughts. Thank you

[naca]

When I was called to testify for my FS last year they did not ask anything regarding visits or behavior. They mainly asked about his medical needs & his bond with our family. We have TPR coming up on our other FS later this month and it has not been mentioned whether we'll be called to testify again or not. Perhaps in your case they have plenty of ppl to testify and don't feel they would need your testimony as well>? In ours, it was just me , the CW & the visit supervisor testifying.

[mommytoEli]

went through 4 children being tpr'd, we were never asked to talk. in one case our children were called to testify (our fk's at the time), and we were invited to be there to support them, but that was it.

[Mummy_Big_Bird]

I was never asked to testify for my AD's TPR. Everyone on the case knew it was a slam dunk just on the evidence and the bio mom's lack of showing up for visits. It seems to be pretty common here that the bios surrender at the last minute, and that is what happened in our case as well.

[SarahBethsMommy]

I was just told that I'll need to testify at my FS's TPR hearing. He is special needs and they want me to explain what goes into his typical day of care and his normal therapies and such. CW said to be prepared to answer if I would want to adopt him if he was available for that too.

[greenrobin]

I was the last witness at our children's first parents' TPR. My job was to paint the picture of change that the kids went through from arrival to that day. I was asked about behaviors, visits, doctor visits, if I wanted to adopt them and why, what I had hoped for concerning the case, if I had adopted others, how many children I had already. The ADA said it was to put a human face on the children and their lives for the court.

It was not fun for me to sit in the witness box and see mom sobbing at the defense table. That's going to stick with me forever.

[arbuckle17]

we have the same thing, we are always welcome to attend but we don't have to.

We have a GA who represents the boys best interest in court, and will testify for them. She visits frequently for play dates and talks to us a lot about progress. The GA however is not a lawyer in our state, she is a volenteer.

Additionally, the kids have a lawyer appointed by the state who has called us and asked how they are doing. We are told that talking to any of the three lawyers in this case is completely optional and we can direct them to the GA if we wish.

Our DCFS has always been very careful to not put us on the spot for anything legal. They don't want the fp's to become a focal point for ridicule.

[arbuckle17]

Originally Posted by SarahBethsMommy

I was just told that I'll need to testify at my FS's TPR hearing. He is special needs and they want me to explain what goes into his typical day of care and his normal therapies and such. CW said to be prepared to answer if I would want to adopt him if he was available for that too.

That is really interesting and I guess goes to show that every department is different.

One of ours is special needs, and they have again been very cautious to ensure we understood that everything legal was optional for us.

We have however been asked several times by the SW, CW, and GA's about the length of time we could care for the kids and if adoption was an option for us.

It might also be because foster parents appear to be less common in our state. So they are really careful to ensure we don't get to exhausted.

[Joy2566]

I was supoena'd for the TPR trial, but the only acknowledgement of my presence was when the judge asked if the foster parent was present. My son was required to testify, and daughters were required to be present but did not have to testify. It was very hard for my children; they had to sit at the table with the GAL and I had to sit back in the gallery. They were terrified. I can't imagine how bad it would have been for them if I hadn't been there.

[momma24rn]

We will definantly go. I dont think we'll get to be in the court room, but we feel it is important to be there. The GAL (an attorney) , and CW, and parent's attorneys know we will adopt if TPR happens.
I guess I also want to be there for J's mom as she will be alone and I think it will be hard for her.
Prayers that all goes according to God's will that day. Either way, somebody is going to get hurt.

[parenting-over-40]

We will pray for all those involved and that the judge makes the decision that is best for J.

God love you for wanting to be there for J's birth mom. That is Awesome. You are a Wonderful person.

As far as testifying, I was not asked to testify for my AD's TPR.

Please let us know how things go next week.

[SarahBethsMommy]

I don't mind telling them what goes into his care. I've no issue with that since we've talked about it a lot with his bio family and such. They understand his care isn't simple. I really don't want them to ask me something like "do you feel you can care for him better than his bio family." I don't think they will, but since this is my first time in a TPR trial I really have no idea. I can say "I'd like to adopt him." But I've told them I'd rather not have to say anything about being "better" for Lil Buddy than his bio family because I don't really feel that way right now. I feel like we love him the same and would care for him the same. I just have a few more resources at my disposal than they do.