Adoption Proceedings Benchbook

(312 pages) This book is available in pdf format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. Scroll down for links.

A complete reference tool, the Adoption Proceedings Benchbook contains detailed discussions of the following topics:

• Releases and Consents
• Termination of Parental Rights
• Identifying the Father
• International Adoptions
• Temporary, Formal, and Direct Placements
• Adoption Subsidies
• Adult Adoptions
• Step-Parent Adoptions
• Rehearings and Appeals
• Record Keeping and Release of Information
• The Indian Child Welfare Act

In addition to the law and procedure applicable to adoption proceedings, this benchbook contains numerous checklists and forms.

The Adoption Proceedings Benchbook was funded by a grant from the Michigan Family Independence Agency.

• Preface

• Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction (pages 1–6)

• 2. Freeing a Child for Adoption (pages 7–72)

• 3. Identifying the Father (pages 73–124)

• 4. Jurisdiction, Venue, and Petition Requirements (pages 125–150)

• 5. Temporary Placements, Investigation Reports, and the Safe Delivery of Newborns
  (pages 151–184)

• 6. Formal Placement and Action on the Adoption Petition (pages 185–210)

• 7. Rehearings, Appeals, Rescissions, and Dissolutions (pages 211–236)

• 8. Direct Placement Adoption, Step-Parent Adoption, Relative Adoption, and "Legal Risk" Placement (pages 237–254)

• 9. Record Keeping Requirements and Release of Information (pages 255–272)

• 10. Paying the Costs of Foster Care and Adoption (pages 273–290)

• 11. Adoption Proceedings Involving an Indian Child (pages 291–312)

• Appendix A: Checklists

• Appendix B: SCAO Forms

• Appendix C: Absent Parent Protocol: Finding and Notifying Non-custodial Parents in Child Protective Cases

• Appendix D: Request for Verification of Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity for Adoption Purposes

• Appendix E: Affidavit of Parentage and Instructions

• Appendix F: Adoption Support Groups

• Appendix G: Legal Advice v Access to the Courts

• Appendix H: Safe Delivery of Newborns

• Appendix I: Michigan Adoption Subsidy Program Information Guide

• Appendix J: Adopting a Child in Michigan

• Appendix K: FIA Forms for the Release of Identifying Information

• Appendix L: Bureau of Indian Affairs: Guidelines for State Courts; Indian Child Custody Proceedings

• Subject Matter Index

• Citation Index

• Case Citation Index

UPDATES TO THE ADOPTION BENCHBOOK

• 2007 Updates (PDF)

• 2006 Updates (PDF)

• 2005 Updates (PDF)

• 2004 Updates (PDF)

To view all of our Publications updates, visit our Updates page.

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