Advertisements
we were recently matched with a bmom that lives in MI. our agency is large and licensed in many states, however they contract out to smaller agencies to deal with the legals of each state. we knew that MI had some pretty rotten adoption laws and this is really making bmom uncomfortably with agency etc. for example, i guess she can't sign TPR for 7 days, or until we get a court date, and from what i read they don't move too quickly. then we can't come back to fl up to 6 weeks due to the compact. then to top it all off the baby has to go into foster care until TPR and bmom refuses that because of her past exp with it. we can't take baby because we aren't mi residents. bmom only wants us to take baby and she wants to have the baby and get her life back. we are thinking of bring her to fl to have the baby to make things easier. somebody out there have any exp with moving bmom to their state?
Like
Share
Having just been through an adoption in MI where we live along with our daughter's bmom, I wouldn't say MI has rotten adoption laws. They are designed to make sure the bmom & bdad (if around) are able to make a clear headed decision about placing their child for an adoption.
Legal and binding termination of rights has to be done in a hearing either in front of a judge or in our county it is called an adoption coordinator, then the judge signs the order. They can sign a transfer of physical custody prior to that time (I think anytime 24 hours after birth) but that doesn't take away their parental rights. Yes, it can take several weeks to get a hearing- ours took twelve weeks because they had to give bdad 28 days notification of the hearing since he had not signed a consent to the adoption plus the first month was the holiday time (Nov & Dec.). IF bdad signs beforehand, then the hearing usually is a lot sooner (our county it is no earlier than 21 days usually, though) because they do not have to notify. Then there is a 3 week period where if the bmom can prove fraud, coercion etc or bdad did not show up and rights were terminated and he can prove why he wasn't at the hearing, there can be a rehearing of the case but that doesn't happen very often nor does it mean the judge will overturn the order of termination.
I can't tell you anything about ICPC or foster care since we were MI residents and our daughter came directly to us from the hospital. I don't know FL rules for how long they have to live there to be residents rather than residents of MI, so ICPC doesn't apply. I would get in touch with a lawyer in MI and one in FL to determine how and if she can move.
Good luck! It is an exciting and anxious time being matched and waiting.
Erin
Advertisements
ermillerwe aren't mi residents so i don't think she can do a transfer of custody. how did living with your bmom work? our bmom suggested that we live with her, but she lives in a 1bdrm apt, with her husband and three year old. i suggested that we get a hotel with adjoining rooms. she does not want the baby to go into foster care at all during the wait period, she wants us to take the baby directly from the hospital.