Opinion ID: 1316607
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: adoption by the hoopers

Text: The family court signed an adoption decree allowing the Hoopers to adopt Anthony, Candice, and Shannon. Appellant argues the record does not support the family court's decision. In order for the court to issue a valid adoption decree, it must appear that the parent has consented or otherwise forfeited his or her parental rights. Gardner v. Baby Edward, 288 S.C. 332, 342 S.E.2d 601 (1986). Consent or relinquishment for the purpose of adoption is not required of a parent whose rights have been terminated pursuant to S.C.Code Ann. §§ 20-7-1560 to -1582 (1985 & Supp.1997). See S.C.Code Ann. § 20-7-1695(A)(1) (Supp.1997). The burden of proving, by the greater weight or preponderance of the evidence, that adoption is the proper course of action rests upon the party who wishes to adopt a child. See D'Augustine v. Bush, 269 S.C. 342, 237 S.E.2d 384 (1977). Adoptions are equitable proceedings, and therefore, this Court has jurisdiction to find facts in accordance with its view of the preponderance of the evidence. Adoptive Parents v. Biological Parents, 315 S.C. 535, 446 S.E.2d 404 (1994); Phillips v. Baker, 284 S.C. 134, 325 S.E.2d 533 (1985). Anthony, now fourteen years old, and Candice and Shannon, now thirteen years old, have lived with the Hoopers for the past seven years. The record shows the Hoopers have provided a stable, caring home for the children. The mental health professionals who evaluated appellant, her husband, and the children, as well as the children's guardian ad litem, believed adoption by the Hoopers was the best choice for the children. Accordingly, we affirm the decision of the family court.