| G.
Adoption Hearing |
| C.R.S. § 19-1-309 | An adoption hearing is closed to the public. The court must preserve the anonymity of biological and adoptive parents unless the court finds good cause to the contrary. |
| C.R.S. § 19-5-210(5) |
The
court
also may excuse the presence of a child under the age of twelve.
When posting the docket, only the case number, with no party names, should be listed, in order to ensure the anonymity of biological and adoptive parents. The confidential nature of the adoption record is to protect all of the parties, including the privacy of the child. |
| In
re Petition of R.G.B., 98 P.3d 958 ( |
It is reversible error for a magistrate not to advise the parties of their right to a hearing before a judge. |
| C.R.S. § 19-5-203(2) | A child age twelve or older must consent in writing to the adoption. |
| C.R.S. § 19-5-210(5) |
The
court may
interview any child at its discretion.
The adoption hearing is an event that many families and children hold on a par with a wedding or graduation ceremony. The court holds the key to making it a memorable event, and can add some pomp and circumstance. The court clerk can encourage adopting parents to bring video or still cameras to record the proceedings. The court can ask the adopting parents to describe how they feel about the moment to the child. |
| C.R.S. § 19-5-210(7) |
In
cases
involving the adoption of a child who is part of a sibling group, but
who is
not being adopted with his or her siblings, the court may encourage
reasonable
visitation among the siblings when visitation is in the best interests
of the
children and the adoptive parents are willing. The court should review the record and inquire as to
whether the
adoptive parents have received counseling about maintaining or
developing ties
between children in sibling groups.
|