Opinion ID: 1773531
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: consent to adoption versus tpr action

Text: The trial court focusedwe feel mistakenlyon whether the consents executed by the birth parents were consents for the voluntary TPR action or for the proposed adoption action in Ohio. We observe that one of two courses is generally followed prior to the filing of an adoption petition. In one, the birth parents' rights are first terminated in a voluntary TPR action, [35] and the adoption petition, accompanied by a certified copy of the order terminating the parental rights, [36] is then filed. If this course is followed, the birth parents are not necessary parties to the adoption action since their parental rights have been terminated, [37] and the adoption action thus proceeds without further notice to the birth parents. The second course utilizes the birth parents' consent to the proposed adoption. The birth parents sign the consent to allow the adoption, [38] they are joined as necessary parties to the adoption action, [39] and they are served with summons. [40] Although the consents need not be filed with the adoption petition, they must be filed prior to the entry of the adoption judgment. [41] Because the consent to adopt becomes irrevocable after twenty (20) days, [42] this course has become increasingly popular in private adoptions, especially open adoptions. [43] Occasionally, both courses are pursued simultaneously because, under the first course, a birth parent must appear at the TPR hearing unless his or her appearance is waived, [44] and the birth parent has until the TPR hearing, which may be up to thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition, [45] to change his or her mind about terminating his or her parental rights and thereby allowing the adoption. [46] On the other hand, a properly executed voluntary and informed consent to adopt becomes irrevocable after twenty (20) days, and the action can proceed without any further action on the part of the birth parent. Accordingly, this has the practical effect of reducing the risk that the birth parent will change his or her mind about the adoption. Like the final order in a TPR proceeding, a valid adoption judgment terminates the parental rights of the birth parent. [47] The trial court determined that the birth parents' consent was for the TPR action and not for the proposed adoption. While we doubt both the correctness and the legal relevance of this determination in the overall resolution of this case, we would note that consent for a voluntary TPR action differs significantly from the consent executed by the birth parents here. [48] The primary purpose of the consent provided for in a TPR action is to allow the action to proceed without the birth parents' attendance at the voluntary TPR hearing and this consent is required on a form (AOC-292) prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. From a careful review of the record, we believe it more likely that the consent in this case was thought necessary to facilitate the placement of Justin with the Asentes prior to the termination of Moore and Dorning's parental rights in the TPR action, after which the adoption would then proceed in Ohio. [49]