Notice
Artificial Insemination
Artificial Insemination is mentioned one time in the South Carolina adoption statutes under the Responsible Father Registry statute. The implication is that a father who consents to artificial insemination continues to have rights to the child and may preserve those rights by filing with the Responsible Father Registry. Section 63-9-820(L) of the South Carolina…
Service of the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights on the Child
The service of the petition for termination of the parental rights must be served on a child if the child is fourteen years of age or older; and it must be served on the child’s guardian if the child is under the age of fourteen.
The direct service on the child that is fourteen years…
Withdrawal of Consent or Relinquishment
“Withdrawal of any consent and relinquishment is not permitted except by order of the court after notice and opportunity to be heard is given to all persons concerned, and except when the court finds that the withdrawal is in the best interest of the child and that the consent or relinquishment was not given voluntarily…
Dale Dove: A Miracle Worker
Dale Dove has been my mentor in adoption law and life for the past four years; he has taught me quite a bit about both. To get a small taste of Dale’s passion for both the law and life read about his quest to help the McClain family adopt Alyssa before Mr. McClain dies in A Dying Man’s Race…
Supreme Court: Father Needs to Grasp Opportunity and Accept Measure of Responsibility to Protect Rights
In Roe v. Reeves, the adoptive parents appeal a family court’s decision where the birth father claims his consent was necessary prior to another couple adopting his child. The family court agreed with the father; the Supreme Court reversed stating that the father did not undertake sufficient good faith effort to assume parental responsibility…
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Affidavits, and Adoptions
The below requirements apply to any civil action or proceeding, including any child custody proceeding, in which the Defendant does not make an appearance.
A Plaintiff is required to let the Court know via an affidavit whether or not the Defendant is in military service or not.
The consequence of a Defendant being in the…
Which Fathers Need to be Named as Defendants in an Adoption?
Any father whose consent and relinquishment is required must be named a defendant in an adoption proceeding if he does not consent and relinquish his rights.
If the child was conceived or born during the marriage of husband and wife whether or not the husband is the actual father, the husband’s consent and relinquishment is required. If he…
Responsible Father Registry is Live
As of 1 July 2010 attorney’s may search the Responsible Father Registry. This link will take you to the registration page; an attorney who wishes to search the registry for a pending adoption or termination of parental rights matter will need to register through the above link to be authorized to search the registry.
The registration process takes…
Had Sex: Register to Keep Parental Rights
If you want to protect your parental rights as a father you need to register at the Responsible Father Registry.
Please read my blog post at https://www.southcarolinaadoptionlaw.com/2009/12/articles/biological-father-1/john-doe-rip-responsible-father-registry-is-law-1-januarly-2010/ and Responsible Father Registry Q & A to help you more fully understand the Responsible Father Registry.