Read All Posts Labeled ‘Adoption’

5/8/96 - Austin is born in Illinois to BM*, who is a single mother. DH* moved to another state not long after their relationship ended.

Sept ‘97 - DH and I meet Austin for the first time while visiting family and seeing a picture BM gave DH’s grandmother of Austin.

Feb ‘98 - BM talks about custody change after being accused of neglect by DHS*.

11/19/99 - BM’s request for a custody change is granted, DH gets sole custody of Austin.

‘00 - ‘04 - I offer/ask to adopt Austin MANY times, BM refuses.

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6/12/06 - BM asks me if I will adopt Austin!! The next morning I call a dozen attorney’s and make an appointment with one I liked.

6/20/06 - Consult with an Attorney, he agrees to take our case.

6/21/06 - Retain the Attorney after DH spoke with BM to make sure she plans on going through with the adoption.

6/22/06 - Get fingerprinted at the police station for my three background checks and mail them off.

7/5/06 - Sign papers at the Attorney’s office for the adoption packet.

7/10 - 7/24/06 - DHS* and CBI* returns BG* checks.

7/30/06 - BM signed the consent to adopt packet after a stressful week of worrying if she would or not.

8/1/06 - Inform Child Support Enforcement of the adoption so we can get them to back off of BM for a while for child support arrears.

8/3/06 - Completed adoption packet filed with the courts.

8/19/06 - FBI* returned Background check!

9/15/06 - Met with Attorney to sign additional documents.

9/19 - 9/20/06 - Process Server attempts to serve BM with the papers required by the courts on several occasions. DH and I leave several messages for her to call us so we can inform her the service is for the adoption and just a technicality required by the courts.

9/22/06 - BM finally calls, states she was out of town, which conflicts with the Process Server’s report.

9/25/06 - Since BM evaded service, she will be mailed a waiver of service to sign.

9/28/06 - Spoke with the Paralegal… she said the name change will take place at the hearing. BM SHOULD have signed and mailed the waiver of service yesterday.

10/02/06 - The Attorney received the signed waiver of service from BM; that should be the last paper BM needs to sign.

10/15/06 - We learned today that the adoption hearing is scheduled for 11/30/06 at 10am!!!

11/30/06 - At 10:15 am, the county courts ruled in favor of my petition to adopt!!! I am now Austin’s legal mommy!!!

02/05/07 - Vital Records cashed the check for the new birth certificates, they said to expect a 5-7 month wait. :sigh:

04/25/07 - Overnighted a self-addressed overnight envelope and a letter asking for birth certificate to be expedited.

05/05/07 - New birth certificates came in the mail, I am now listed as the mother. I can now file for a new social security card, complete school registration and request our remaining retainer from the attorney.

*DH = Dear Husband

*BM = Biological Mother

*DHS = Department of Human Services

*CBI = Colorado Bureau of Investigations

*BG = Background

*FBI = Federal Bureau of Investigations