When I mean dud, I mean absolutely a waste of time. I was told that this November 30th court date was a Permanency Hearing. I was told that there were paternity test results that would be in and there would be an official recommendation to move the case over to the adoption unit.
Once I was at court, I sat for two hours in the waiting area. Then I met the new law guardian. She said that today was just a status report and not a permanency hearing. The case manager told me the same. They treated me like I was nuts for being visibly annoyed when I told them that I was sure that I was told this was a permanency hearing and took off a day of work for that reason. Later I found the voicemail from the previous law guardian that said "the permanency hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2011 at 9:00." At least I know I didn't hallucinate this information.
The law guardian asked if I wanted to go to work and not wait until the case was heard. I said no, I'd like to address the judge. Honestly, all I wanted to say to the judge is that I need proper identification for CD so we could visit with family in February (we would need to fly) and I have been asking the case manager and law guardian for the identification for a year now (with no success).
A little while later, the judge rescheduled the hearing for the end of December. The case was not even heard. I waited, by myself (not a good idea, I should have said yes to my friend who offered to come with me) for nothing, just to sit and wait. None of CD's bio family members were there. The case manager did say that it's "looking good for adoption" so I guess I got something out of going.
An attorney friend called later to get an update. He had some good advice for us and hooked us up with another attorney who may have further advice. The advice pretty much entails utilizing our right to write to the judge to offer information that we may not trust is getting to the judge with all these workers who are new to the case and may not be on the ball.
It's been a week.
5 comments:
I hope much better days are on the horizon. Sorry about the court stuff. I LOVE the idea that you can write directly to the judge - that is awesome!
I would be so dissapointed and frustrated and... But I believe that CD is with you for a reason. I pray that this will be settled soon.
Jeez, I wish I could offer you a drink - go to your friend R instead for a good massage!
Sorry, how unbelievably frustrating!
So is the permanency hearing in December or just a status report.
TO, if it makes you feel any better, your experience is uncannily like what we went through. Over a four year period I probably went to court 5 times only to sit around and have the date adjourned. Changes in case workers. Changes in judges. On and on. But, at the end of the day, the adoption went through, as I'm sure it will for you. What a process.
MoC
When you were advised to write to the judge was it via those forms they send out to foster parents before each court date to get updates? Because those don't just go to the judge, EVERYONE sees them including the birth parents and the caseworkers. They are useful, though.
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