This is a complicated case of a child stuck in between law and policy. In April 2018, the child at issue was allegedly found abandoned near a trash heap in the DRC, and subsequently placed at an orphanage. The Plaintiffs began the process to adopt the child in Summer 2018, and they filed the … Read More about Case Update (30 Jan 2023): Trower v. Blinken; foreign adoption decree was in accordance with that country’s laws, despite the court ignoring a key component of the law
HCCH Update (13 July 2022): Conclusions & Recommendations from 5th Special Commission on Hague Adoption Convention
From July 4 to July 8, 2022, the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Hague Adoption Convention met to discuss a robust agenda. The Conclusions and Recommendations, published from that meeting, are now available on the Hague Conference's website by clicking here. The Hague … Read More about HCCH Update (13 July 2022): Conclusions & Recommendations from 5th Special Commission on Hague Adoption Convention
Netherlands Update (2021): Committee recommends Dutch government suspend intercountry adoptions
In February 2021, a committee appointed by the Dutch government to investigate intercountry adoptions issued a report that recommends suspending the same. It states, "For too long, intercountry adoption has been viewed socially and politically as a laudable way to rescue children in need. … Read More about Netherlands Update (2021): Committee recommends Dutch government suspend intercountry adoptions
Case Update (2020): Adoption of Daphne; Jurisdiction for Petition of Adoption for a child born via surrogacy
In this post, I am returning to April 2, 2020, where a Massachusetts court, in the Adoption of Daphne, vacated a trial court's order dismissing a petition to adopt a minor child born in Massachusetts to a gestational surrogate. The child was the product of in-vitro fertilization. … Read More about Case Update (2020): Adoption of Daphne; Jurisdiction for Petition of Adoption for a child born via surrogacy
Case Update (2020): Ntl Council for Adoption v. Pompeo; International Adoption, Hague Adoption Convention, Central Authority Guidance
The National Council for Adoption sued the U.S. government over certain written guidance developed by the U.S. Department of State for Adoption Service Providers (ASPs) under the Intercountry Adoption Act, which is the U.S. federal implementing legislation for the Hague Adoption Convention. … Read More about Case Update (2020): Ntl Council for Adoption v. Pompeo; International Adoption, Hague Adoption Convention, Central Authority Guidance