Post-TPR Questions: Paperwork & Lawyers

I adopted in Essex County and did not use an atty. Maybe it was different because my child had been adopted from a foreign country not through foster care...

Doug Pine did our adoption. He came highly recommended by other fost-adopt families. He is an expert at DYFS adoptions, and he's very speedy. He will travel anywhere in NJ (we are in Ocean County). Our caseworker had worked with him before, and she was pleased we had chosen him, since she's not allowed to recommend anyone. He accepts whatever fee the state pays him, and we paid him only $5.00 (I think), for obtaining a speedy copy of the new birth certificate from Trenton for us...well worth it!! Douglas M. Pine 112 Broad St Bloomfield, NJ 07003 phone (973) 748-8887 fax (973) 748-3999

He also did our adoption. He was great!

I've deleted 2 posts that discuss an attorney, details and contact information.Please remember that even in a foster adoption, attorneys still fall under our agency discussion guidelines and cannot be discussed openly on the forums. You MUST use PM's to discuss any adoption agency/professional in detail.Thanks!

Congratulations!!!! So happy for you!!! Here's a copy of a post I wrote on the same subject in 2009 (perhaps things have changed since then, but I don't imagine very much): You may file for adoption 45 days after TPR and/or as soon as DYFS completes your "adoption package" (DYFS jargon for a bunch of paperwork required to be completed by caseworker, supervisor, and Trenton prior to finalization), which they tend to do slowly so keep on top of them! If parent(s) appeal, you'll of course have to wait for that decision before filing for adoption. For now, keep attending ALL HEARINGS and keep issuing a statment--even if it's only an update. The more the judge(s) sees you, the better. During the interim, since the case is being moved to the adoption unit, here's a heads up on the contents of the adoption package, some of which you can start working on now (ask your caseworker for forms): Here's what's required on your part before adoption (DYFS should provide you with the forms): 1. Pre-adopt Medical (blood test for sickle cell (for AA children), lead for all children under 5, TB for all children 9 months and older). 2. Dental check-up by dentist for children over 3 years of age. Dental check-up by doctor for children under 3 years of age. 3. Psychological evaluation OR signed waiver by adoptive parents (which basically states that you see no problems with your child's psychological health and will assume full responsibility should mental health problems surface following the adoption). 4. School report (filled out by teacher for school-age children/by daycare for infants, toddlers, pre-k). 5. Current adoption homestudy/foster home certification (The study conducted for your foster license will likely suffice. However, the worker may need to come into your home to do an interview with you to do what I'll call a "mini-update" if your study is too outdated. I don't think this will apply in your case but including the info. just in case!) 6. Letter of intent to adopt. You can write anything from a few lines to a few pages about your desire to adopt your foster child. The letter can be addressed "To Whom it May Concern" or directly to your caseworker. 7. Fingerprinting--doesn't matter if you just did it, you have to do it again (DYFS will pay/set up appt. for you at the same Essex County office where your caseworker is located). :) Here's what DYFS has to do prior to adoption: 1. Obtain child's original birth certificate if they don't already have it. 2. Obtain Guardianship order or legal clearance (TPR) 3. Write up and/verbally read in person a comprehensive (10-20 pages) medical report on child to adoptive parents. You may be surprised at some of the things you learn that weren't disclosed to you earlier! 4. Write up/provide indivual family assessment. This report gives you as much information as they are able to obtain on immeidate and extended birth family (medical, psychological, geographical, etc.) 5. Adoption summary (I don't know what this is) 6. IV-E determination (I don't know what this is) 7. Subsidy forms and SAR for any increased board rates and approved subsidy if applicable 8. Court report (that's the homestudy-like sit-down I referenced above) 9. CHRI/Promis Gavel & CARI background checks (fingerprinting results) 10. Adoption assessment 11. MVR (Minimal Visitation Requirement--your monthly visit from the caseworker) I always recommend printing this list out and reviewing it with your adoption caseworker to get your ducks in a row and formulate a plan to complete everything on a timely basis. In fact, I'm doing just that right now with our straight adoption through Trenton! :) Congrats again and best wishes to you!!!!! Jennifer

OOPS! Sorry, I didn't understand that applied to the lawyer. PM sent.

Thank you all!! I am getting rave review for one attorney in particular, so if anyone reads this in the future and wants the name, PM me for info! Trial was supposed to start tomorrow, but has been adjourned. New date unknown at this point. Mom has skipped her bonding evaluation, so they're giving her another month or two to try to get her to show up for an eval. :grr: I can't wait until I can actually use all this great info!

You can go ahead and start the package now whether or not TPR has been obtained. :) That way, this 1-2 month delay will be inconsequential in the long run. :)

JJ, that list came in very handy last night. CW came for her visit and started telling me about the various docs I'd have to sign (but didn't actually BRING the docs). She told me I had to sign the psych waiver. I told her I wanted the eval (Z's had a REALLY rough time w/ visits, and I've been trying to get him services for a while - no way was I losing a chance for an eval). She told me I had to - that they don't do psych evals on kids under 4. I'm betting that's not true. People, tell me your experiences, please?A) By the time they get TPR finished, he'll be 4. I suggested that we hang on, then do the eval at 4, but there's MASSIVE resistance to that at DYFS. B) It's a document saying I know of no psych problems with the kid. I honestly can't say that. Based on what I've seen in the last year, it would be a lie, and I'm sure as h*ll not lying to save DYFS some grief or some cash. What do you think? It's not an issue for the immediate future - as I was trying to point out to her supervisor today, it's a document I haven't seen for a kid who is not legally free -- no sense browbeating me about it now. Opinions?

Oh, is that so?? Then why did our baby's CM from the Adoption Unit ask me multiple times if I wanted a psych eval (our baby was not yet 3 years old)? This was in 2007.

That's exactly what I thought. Thanks!

Reviving this thread because I have another post-TPR question for you guys. First, the good news: Z's Mom did an identified surrender!! We had a mediation and all I wanted was for her to show up. I didn't care if she spat in my face, I just wanted her to care enough about Z to show up. She showed, we talked, she wanted to do an identified surrender. It was an incredibly emotional day. Fast forward to now: the paperwork stage. I received Z's subsidy info yesterday, and it's the same basic stipend as he receives now. The thing is, he has a heart condition that is going to need a pacemaker and then surgeries thereafter to change batteries, replace leads, etc. Right now (thank God!) he is fine. In fact, he looks terrific, which is probably why the CW and her supervisors aren't giving him any sort of increased stipend based on the ongoing medical issue. I talked w/ my Resource Worker in my home county (different from the county from which Z was placed), and she said that they usually do an increase in stipend for kids with serious problems that have not yet manifested . Z's county is telling me that I can always come back to them when he starts having problems: (a) that's TOTALLY not going to be my biggest priority when the Kid's heart stops working :grr: ; and (b) I don't really believe DYFS' promises. The one thing that makes me curious is that there is a box next to the Kid's name & case # is Title IV-E Eligibility: Neither Yes nor No is checked. Every other Yes/No question on the form is checked. So, experienced folks, what do you think? I hate to look greedy, but I do want Z to have what he's entitled to, particularly since this is something that's been noted in his medical records since he was at ~ 6 months gestation.

Wow - I have zero advice, as we are not even close to TPR. But, I just wanted to say YAY!!!!! such exciting news

Here in MI, the agency's were VERY clear to get the subsidy stuff done BEFORE the adoption is filed or you are screwed! They should be recording/reporting everything this is currently wrong and anything that COULD be needed later to determine need and subsidy level. No for Title IV-E sounds wrong too. Check out this Childwelfare site for Adoption Assistance and Children Adopted From Foster Care: A Factsheet for Families[/url] with information on this topic. I think others here have had to fight for their kids rights in this area and hopefully they will chime in.Finally, they can TOTALLY do a psych eval under 4. our 3yo FD had one and in ongoing therapy. I would not sign off that there are no issues until you get that.whew...good luck!!

We got a letter from the state denying the stipend but leaving the case open (should she develop issues later on). We were told htis letter is important; as its tough to open a closed case