Incarcerated Father’s Parental Rights Wrongly Terminated For Stepparent Adoption
Respondent-father had the ability to provide “consistent support though not ample support” for his children while he was incarcerated but did not do so.
Dad’s Rights Wrongly Terminated To Allow Stepparent Adoption
Trial court erred by terminating a father’s parental rights for purposes of a stepparent adoption because there was “no factual basis to clearly and convincingly” support that determination.
MSC Vacates Published Opinion In Stepparent Adoption Case
The Michigan Supreme Court has voided the COA published decision in In re BMGZ, Minor, a stepparent adoption case where the plaintiffs wanted SIJ status for the minor child.
Stepparent Adoption Set Aside Due to Parties’ Fraud
The Court of Appeals upheld the trial court decision to set aside the stepparent adoption of KJS due to the parties’ significant and positive fraud.
Stepparent Adoption is a Hot Topic in Michigan's Family Law Appeals
Over the past several months Michigan's appellate courts have turned their attention to stepparent adoption cases. These appeals have focused on the application of the statute, MCL 710.51(6), in terminating the rights of natural parents, as well as issues involving statutory interpretation and legislative intent.
COA Puts Brakes on Step-Parent Adoption; Reverses TPR
In the case In re Michael Robert Benbow III, Minor, the COA reversed an order of the Clinton County Family Court terminating a father’s parental rights in a step-parent adoption case.