[maxkinzie]

Yeah!!!! Our finalization date is June 29th! I'm not worried about it but will still be a relief to officially have it done. My question is what happens at a finalization hearing beyond the signing of papers etc. It has been suggested to videotape it- we will just because of what the day means. From the way the clerk of courts made it sound it is a short, "business" type affair, get it done and celebrate after....

I don't mean this to sound like finalization isn't a huge deal, but do we 'need' to tape it? I had originally assumed we'd take some pix at least.

thanx,
max

[alwaysus]

I am so happy for you! We didn't have to go to court to finalize. ( Thats the way it works here in NC) I have no advice, but congrats!!!

[mckenna]

i had someone tape my son's finalization. i love to watch it. even though it is very short, it is great. the judge went around the room and asked everyone to state thier name the thier relationship to my son, it will be great to have in years to come. some people have a video of their birth, my son will have a video of how he became an official member of our family.

[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

[MamaTo6]

Our finalization date is the 15th The way it was explained to us is that the adoption sw comes to our home for our signatures.....and thats it! After dinner that evening we're having friends and family over for a bar b que and fun time, to celebrate. We will tape that and take pics then. Have a great day however its done.

Warm wishes.....Teagans mama