Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Court Forms topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves new stepparent adoption form ADOPT‑203 and revisions to adoption forms to aid self‑represented litigants
Summary
The Judicial Council approved one new stepparent adoption form (ADOPT‑203) and wide revisions to adoption information forms to reduce continuances and help self‑represented litigants, following a committee review and input from self‑help centers and stakeholders.
The Judicial Council voted to adopt a package of new and revised family‑law adoption forms intended to simplify the process for self‑represented litigants and reduce continuances in adoption cases.
Justice Terry Cody presented the Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee's recommendation, telling the council the committee prioritized a separate stepparent adoption form because stepparent adoptions have different requirements and the current single form can be confusing for judges, clerks and litigants. The package includes a standalone ADOPT‑203 stepparent request form and extensive changes to the ADOPT‑50 information form to clarify required documents and steps. "One of the forms that you'll see in the proposal is a new step parent adoption request form, a separate stand alone form called ADOPT 203," Cody said.
Committee and self‑help center representatives described how user‑friendly language and clearer checklists will reduce the number of continuances caused by missing statutory pleadings and documents. The council moved, seconded, and approved the recommendation by voice vote.
Action: motion to approve the adoption forms package was moved by a council member present and seconded; the item was approved by voice vote (no roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript).
