[Kansas-Family]

dated 11/21. Just thought I would pass it on.

[babyme]

ok so does this mean things stay the same for now even after January 1st?

[angelstone]

Thanks for the update--my lawyer told my agency i was out of PGN.I called PGN and they said I was on barrios desk.My agency wanted the 10,000 i sent it and then found out i was not out of pgn.So they are going to hold the money before they send it to the lawyer.

[hbrown24]

I still don't understand what this means! This is so extremely frustrating! Will things be ok after Jan. 1? It sounded from Guatadopt that things will be in some sort of limbo, whatever that means. I'm grateful for all the info. but it is just so confusing. Nothing is ever clear!

[adoptlove66]

it sounds like if they dont vote things stay the same but that does not mean that new requirements wont be added under this system. As Kevin says PGN are never consistent and they make the rules up as they go and they do not like to approve adoptions.

Who really knows what it all means except that we will still be unable to rest easy. Its just one nightmare after another.

Anyone who is thinking of staring a Guatemala adoption now is crazy nuts.

[pippac]

Having trouble finding the right words!
Not surprised that nothing will happen this year but was really hoping to see the grandfather clause in place.
Pippa

[Tavidad]

I've stated that I don't think anything can legally happen to the system until Congress votes, and therefore, nothing will change in the system until after Jan. 15, 2008.

I've really re-thought my ability to make any kind of pronouncement, though. I think someone would have to be a Guatemalan Constitutional expert to make an informed pronouncement on this issue, and even then, two experts might disagree. There are, I am sure, legalities that determine what happens in similar cases, but this might be a somewhat unique case, in which the President has made a declaration, but Congress hasn't finalized the legislation that makes it law.

What I'm saying is, I'm going to stop trying to figure this out, and to work on relaxing about this to best of my ability, and reducing my anxiety. Unless I hear from someone like my lawyer, who is well-versed in Guat Constitutional law, or some other expert, I think I will let this one go. It's out of my control, anyway, so the best I can do is take care of myself.

[kiecho4]

Nick, our agency told us the same thing that if no vote took place all things stay as they are now until there is a vote.

[KevinK]

Tavidad, you are 100% correct.

To others, I apologize if our posts seem less than clear. The fact is that things are less than clear. But here in a bulleted form:

1.) It does not look like Guatemala will approve any new law this year. Therefore, the law is what it is today and has been for quite some time.
2.) Laws and the manner in which are they executed are two different things. Within the current law, PGN has responsibilities and as time goes on, they change how they execute that. Over the years, they have modified their requirements a number of times. As has the US side of things. These are done without any changes in the written law.
3.) No one knows what will happen exactly. We often face the issue of deciding when to post something. There is a fine line between potentially worrying people more and playing god by deciding what PAPs have the right to know. In any case, things are undeniably ugly and there is just no way right now to know how things will shake out. For those of you in proccess, please don't minimize the fact that for the time being, it SHOULD be business as usual. Though we are seeing various hassles on BCs, in PGN, etc. A rocky road but at least it is paved.

Peace,

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

[ourjourneytwo]

My question is why have things changed within PGN since a couple of years ago? babies were coming home at 4 and 5 months old? What happend between then and now? Why is PGN being so difficult now and giving so many KOs and taking so long to approve a case? Maybe I missed something somewhere along the way, but then again I find it hard to keep up with one thing being said and then another! Can anyone answer that for me? thanks

[KevinK]

What has happened over the years is that PGN has always gone through ups and downs. But the average timeline is continually increasing. The best analogy I can think of is the price of gas. It goes up and down considerably. But over time the low prices aren't as low as once they were as the average increases. Just like in gas, where it hasn't dropped below $3/gal for quite a while, PGN timelines aren't coming out of the long street.

As I wrote on Guatadopt, they are trying to do a more stringent job. With all the press, you can't blame them for that. Now whether they do it efficiently and fairly is another story. And resources are an issue everywhere.

My kids came home in Dec 03 and Aug 05 at ages eight months and seven months. During both those periods, I'd say averages were 6-9 months. Of course we had the Hague in 2003.

Hope that helps,

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

[babyme]

I just wanted to thank Kevin for all his input and information-thank you

[ourjourneytwo]

Thanks Kevin, that helps me to understand the process alot more.

[hbrown24]

Thanks so much Kevin, really, for everything you do. I so appreciate it! I did not mean you personally weren't clear, just things in general! Your post did clarify more of what I didn't understand.

[cattlefarms]

Thank you Kevin for always keeping us up to date and working so hard. I think there is no way to be clear in this situation, as it changes everyday. You are doing a wonderful job Keeping us informed. I want to know what is going on even if I don't always understand. Which most of the time I don't these days. LOL. I just wish we could get some clear answers and A Vote on the grandfather would have been a great christmas present. Oh well! back to waiting.....

Many Blessing this Thanksgiving
Kristi