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Unmarried Couples May Jointly Adopt Child
G.G. and T.S. v. Cabinet 2024-SC-0143-DGE Jackson Circuit Court Kentucky Court of Appeals Opinion by Justice Goodwine Date Rendered: June 20, 2025 Issue: Whether KRS Chapter 199 prohibits unmarried couples from jointly petitioning to adopt a child. An unmarried couple jointly petitioned Family Court to adopt a child. The unmarried couple had jointly and exclusively…
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Court of Appeals Upholds Contested Stepparent Adoption
W.H.J. v. J.N.W., CHFS No. 2023-CA-1474-ME Warren Family Court Opinion by Judge Eckerle Date Rendered: September 27, 2024 Father contested adoption of child by Step-Father. When Father and Mother divorced, Family Court awarded Mother sole custody of Child and Ordered Father to undergo substance abuse and mental health assessments and to attend a parenting clinic.…
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United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Holds that Foster Parents Lack Liberty Interest in Relationship with Foster Children
Mikel v. Quin United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Filed: January 19, 2023 Two foster children were removed from Foster Mother’s home after Foster Mother submitted adoption papers on allegations of emotional abuse. Foster Mother argued that the Department failed to give her notice or an opportunity to be heard before commencing…
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Courts Must Inquire as to Indigency in Stepparent Adoptions
R.V.K.H. v. S.M.S. Case No. 2023-CA-0136-ME Graves Circuit Court Decided by Acree, Dixon, And McNeill, Judges. Opinion by Dixon, Judge Date Rendered: October 27, 2023 Issue: Whether the UCCJEA applies in adoption proceedings. Issue: Whether KRS 199.502(3) requires courts to conduct an inquiry of indigency when biological parents appear pro se in adoption proceedings. Child…
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Kentucky Court of Appeals Grants Writ of Prohibition and Stays Jefferson County Family Court DNA Action Pending Breckenridge County Ruling on Custody and Adoption Petitions
H.H., ET AL. v. HONORABLE LORI GOODWIN, JUDGE, JEFFERSON FAMILY COURT, ET AL. Case No. 2022-CA-1023-OA Original Action arising from Jefferson Family Court Decided by Dixon, Lambert, and Maze, Judges Opinion by Maze, Judge Date Rendered: December 2, 2022 Issue: Whether Family Court Erred and Writ of Prohibition Should be Issued Minor child was born…
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