What to expect at TPR hearing?!?

I'm not sure if my experiences helps or not...but I will share it.... With our first case, the parents had not been doing anything on their case plan except visits. We had a TPR hearing scheduled for two days after they were placed with us (that was in January). Then, the case was continued two weeks, and another two weeks, and this went on for a very long time. The TPR hearing was FINALLY heard in November, after eleven months of continuances. At that point, the judge said too much time had passed for him to make a ruling so he ordered a new caseplan and basically reset the case. Six months later, the kids RU'd. With our current case, the parents have not done anything, including visits, and the judge ordered the TPR the first day it was scheduled. They called us into the courtroom, read the order, and granted us de facto status. So, mine is a tale of two tpr's and probably not reassuring if you are looking for guidance on what will likely happen. Best of luck tomorrow!!!

Our case had two fathers, so that made it interesting. One was consenting to TPR, the other was fighting.The judge said that she had all the case plans, so let's get to it. If it was in a previous report, she didn't want it rehashed.All parties could be questioned by the county attorney, the mom's attorney, Dad #1 attorney, Dad#2 attorney, and then the GAL. SO ya. It was interesting just from that standpoint.There was a visitation/family worker that testified. The SW testified. Both of the dads. Mom didn't. There were a few parties that testified via phone. There was another provider that submitted a statement that was accepted. I also testified. I was told foster parents don't usually testify... but they wanted me to based on certain circumstances of the case. The only party that prepped me was the GAL. Was crossed by one of the dad's attorney's but it was pretty minor.They said witnesses usually have to wait outside unless all parties agree it's ok, which they did.I had a couple WTF moments when I knew the dad was obviously lieing. One of the dad's testimony was heartbreaking, and he truly wanted what was best for his kiddo. I also learned quite a bit that I was unaware of from the beginning of the case. Some puzzle pieces definitely fit together.IMO, the "trial" was really just firming up all appeal-able issues so the chance of appeal succeeding is little to none.

In our case, dad did not show for his trial, and mom wanted a continuance because she just got her attorney the day before. The continuance was granted. GAL motioned that they still have the trial for dad, mom's attorney objected. His argument was if mom got her daughter back, she wanted to be able to get child support from dad. After a little discussion, it was decided to to ahead and have dad's trial. It lasted about an hour, the juvenile office (similar to prosecuting attorney) ran down the history of the case with all CW involved testifying. Judge ruled for TPR right then. No waiting. The mom's trial happened about a month and a half later. Went similar to dad's except lasted a lot longer. She had apparently been coached by her attorney. She was using vocabulary that I didn't even she would know the meaning of. Way above her typical level. She was trying to make herself look like the victim of the dad and that everything was all his fault basically. Her whole case history was brought up, and I almost felt bad for her at times because her personal history as a foster child herself was brought up as well, and I learned some very personal things that put her in a new light. It was a mentally exhausting day. But...she still had done nothing on her plan until after dad's TPR was granted. (And this whole time she never requested a visit with her daughter.) Anyway, judge granted TPR, but it took him a month and a half to do it. It was not the same day. Good luck on your trial! I hope it happens for you today!

Well it was dismissed by the judge due to a request from DHR's attorney and the GAL for it to be continued. They have given bio dad unti Feb 1 to complete his goals and they are hoping to TPR on both at the same time, hopefully in March they said. I am terribly disappointed because I was hoping to be one step closer by the end of this day and right now I feel like I am still standing in the same place I was 18 mo ago when she first came to us. I will try to remember that God has a plan and I just can't see what it is yet but one day I will be able to look back and see it clearly. Thank you all for the prayers and support and I offer up prayers for everyone's own TPR hearings that are upcoming.

I know it is disappointing...but it is better to TPR on them both at the same time. Most judges don't like to only TPR on one parent and not the other because it leaves a window open for the birth parent who wasn't TPR'd to get the child back and then hand them over to the TPR'd parent. It happens even when the parents despise each other.