[#1Mommy]

We are finally going to court. We have a hearing next Thursday (the 17th) to have our two motions heard. One of them is to enter the preference of the minor child. We have to ask the judge's permission to talk to my step-son since he isn't 12 yet. The other is for the court order for bio-mom to hand over her financial records to support her claims of not being able to pay child support. I am so excited. It seems that after seven years, we are finally moving in the right direction!~!~! I will update next week after court is over!~!~!

[sharky8mup]

best of luck to you in court!

[crystaly]

Wow! Good luck! Please let us know how its going. I'm trying to learn all I can about this stepparent adoption.

[#1Mommy]

Our court date was postponed until 04/07/05 b/c birthmom had to stay home b/c someone in her family might be having their baby sometime this week. This is really getting frustrating!~!~!

[crystaly]

Originally Posted by #1Mommy

Our court date was postponed until 04/07/05 b/c birthmom had to stay home b/c someone in her family might be having their baby sometime this week. This is really getting frustrating!~!~!

I'm so sorry to hear that. That's a long time away. I'm sure that after so long it must be pretty frustrating. May I ask...What has taken 7 years? I'm just starting the stepparent adoption thing. Our first consultation with the attorney is on the 1st. I don't want it to take 7 years.

[#1Mommy]

I only filed to adopt my step son last year. My dh had filed to transfer the jurisdiction of the case from TX to TN where he was living in Dec. 1997. Every time he would try to have her served, she would move. Then when he was finally able to serve her, she did nothing and it just sat until we got married in 1999. We decided to go ahead and file to terminate her parental rights and then I would file to adopt my step son. We were finally able to serve her in June of 2002 and she retained an atty and filed a response on the day of her deadline. Then she decided not to use her atty any more, but didn't have the common courtesy to tell him. So, he had to enter a motion in court to have himself removed from the case. We finally get a hearing for Sept. 2003 and she actually shows up, but was able to hire an atty in the parking lot and got the case postponed. We had a hearing set for Feb. 2004, but a week before our hearing, the TN Supreme Court ruled that the only way a parent's rights could be terminated was if there was a step-parent adoption taking place or if the DCS decided the children were not safe with the parents. So that hearing was cancelled. I filed to adopt him at that time. She was finally served with the papers in May of 2004 and had until June of 2004 to file her response. She missed the deadline and a default judgement hearing was scheduled, but her atty finally filed her response to the adoption petition in July of 2004 (a month after her deadline). We were able to get her up here for a deposition in October of 2004, but before we could go any further than that, I was placed on complete bed rest due to complications with my pregnancy. Our daughter was born in November of 2004, but passed away shortly after her birth. We finally met with our atty about 3 wks ago and he filed all of our motions that were supposed to be heard yesterday, but the hearing was cancelled. Now we will go before the judge in April. My atty told her atty that the hearing will take place on that date regardless of whether or not she can make it. So we shall see what happens then.

[crystaly]

Wow. You've been through so much. I really feel for your family. I hope all goes well for you with this adoption and I'm sorry to hear about your baby. I've been there so I know how you must be feeling. I'll remember your family in my prayers.

[mattandjen]

I see that your hearing is coming up soon, GOOD LUCK!!. My husband and I have a termination of parental rights hearing on the 4th of April. It is so nerve racking, I have no idea what to expect this is our first hearing. I spoke with Bfather and he says he wants to contest. We'll see if he shows up.

I want to wish you luck, will you please let us know what happens.

[#1Mommy]

We are actually going to court on April 7th and so far that date is still on. We'll see if she tries to pull any more of her stunts.

[#1Mommy]

Our hearing was once again postponed. This time, the court clerk scheduled us before the wrong judge. We are rescheduled for May 9th now.