Adoption of Odetta (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-068-15)
Postadoption visitation with non-parent relative properly ordered where specific factual findings support child's best interests, including religious and cultural heritage preservation.
Adoption
Adoption of Zak (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-065-15)
Affirmed termination of parental rights based on pattern of domestic violence; affirmed denial of family placement; vacated and remanded visitation orders for findings on domestic violence impact.
Adoption of a Minor (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-076-15)
Married same-sex couple need not notify sperm donor when adopting their biological child conceived through in vitro fertilization.
Adoption of Malik (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-129-13)
Mother loses standing to appeal adoption order after parental rights terminated, even though she reserved right to propose kinship placement.
Adoption of Gabe (and one companion case) (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-117-13)
Father appealed adoption decree terminating his parental rights, arguing he was denied counsel. Court held newly announced constitutional right to appointed counsel applies retroactively to nonfinal cases.
Adoption of Cecily (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-074-13)
Parental rights terminated where mother witnessed father's abuse of infant but failed to protect her and refused to acknowledge evidence of inflicted injuries.
Adoption of Norbert (and a companion case) (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-055-13)
Mother appealed termination of parental rights and dispensing with consent to adoption. Court affirmed despite judge's excessive questioning of witnesses, finding no due process violation.
Adoption of Zander (and three companion cases) (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-036-13)
Affirmed in part, remanded in part. Court upheld adoption plan and denied postadoption parental visitation but required judge to establish formal sibling visitation schedule.