What is the court finalization process?: New York Adoptive Families Adoption Group Discussion Topic

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What is the court finalization process?

Posted by tarahj65 to New York Adoptive Families on May 17, 2012 at 6:53am | 2 Comments | Post a reply

My sons adoption will be finalized soon if all goes well. I’m wondering what the process is, what questions are asked by the judge. Do they make a speech and declare you a family or can I expect the judge to ask me those same private questions asked in the home study?

Is it private or will I have sit in a court room for several hours trying to keep my one year old still and quiet?

Can anyone object? I’m a worst case scenario kind of person, trying my best to stay positive.

Replies

We finalized in White Plains, NY. It was private and kind of a blur. We sat at a table with the baby and the lawyer. It was private. They read the documents and his name and then we had to repeat the name. I got a little teary eyed at that point. It was quite celebratory and everyone in the court was very nice. The lawyer asked the judge if we could take pictures with him and we did. Our experience was very simple and sweet. There was no one in the court but us so there was no one there to object. Dont worry - I’m the same kind of person and the whole thing went off without a hitch. It was very special. Bring tissues.

Posted by Keitht66 on May 17, 2012 at 1:52pm

We finalized just outside of Rochester, NY (Ontario County). We had a specific time to be at court, so all of our immediate family and close friends could also be in the room. It was pretty fast and overall, just a really exciting moment for our family. The judge, clerk, police officer, etc. were all wonderful. They even presented our son with an adoption bear to commemorate the day. We also took pictures with the judge, our families, etc. Congrats on the adoption being finalized soon!!

Posted by mis1304 on May 17, 2012 at 2:45pm