[jennifer62458]

What is an adoption status review? Birthparents did an identified surrender of their rights to us last week in ocean county. We now have a court date in August for an adoption status review. Does anyone know what happens at this court date and also how long does it take from here for adoption?

Thanks

[lovemy6]

In some states, after tpr, there is a six month review hearing,every six months, to tell the judge what the status of adoption is. Courts don't like to see adoptions taking forever, so dcfs has to account for why the adoption isn't finalized.

[irelady10]

I think the hearing is to oversee the status of the adoption process. My fosterson got a new law guardian for this hearing and it was heard before a different judge. I never knew about this type of hearing, so when I got a voicemail about there being a hearing, I panicked a little, thinking something must have gone wrong with the identified surrender or adoption paperwork.

[NJMama]

In most counties, the status review hearings are held every 60-90 days. Usually just the DAG and the Law Guardian are there, and they take about 5 minutes. IF there are any problems, the court hears about them and can intervene to try and expedite the process to get to finalization. DYFS should be ready with the final paperwork to go to the attorney for the finalization before the first status review (unless fingerprints are outdated or something else unanticipated has come up). If you feel DYFS is dragging their feet in getting the case ready for the finalization, the status reviews are a great vehicle for FP's to voice concern, and get the judge on the agency's back. Show up at the hearing and if nothing else, introduce yourself to the judge and ask if there is anything YOU can do to speed it along. Bring pictures (or better yet, bring the child!)

Our daughter became legally free on February 19th and we finalized on April 30th and the only reason it took that long in between was because we had to wait 45 days for the appeal period. (Mom did identified surrender, but dad was a no-show and had to do a trial in his absence, so that is why we had to wait the appeal time). So it certainly CAN move quickly.

Good luck and keep us posted. . .

[arubagirl]

I do know that Judge Hoffman is retiring at the end of this month. So hopefully they donot get "backed up"

[NJMama]

Judge Hoffman would laugh if he read this!!! He is way too young to be retiring!!! He is just being reassigned to another division, and they already have the new family judge identified and ready to step in his place.

However, if the case is one that Judge Hoffman was overseeing through termination of parental rights, and if your paperwork is filed already, Judge Hoffman will still do the adoption even if he is already sitting in the Criminal Part. . . doesnt sound like you are quite there yet though.

[arubagirl]

Originally Posted by NJMama

Judge Hoffman would laugh if he read this!!! He is way too young to be retiring!!! He is just being reassigned to another division, and they already have the new family judge identified and ready to step in his place.

However, if the case is one that Judge Hoffman was overseeing through termination of parental rights, and if your paperwork is filed already, Judge Hoffman will still do the adoption even if he is already sitting in the Criminal Part. . . doesnt sound like you are quite there yet though.

WOOPS!! I guess I should have said retiring from the family court... at least thats wat our CW told us...