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1. General Family Code Provisions Which Necessarliy Affect Specific Provisions Concerning Paternity, Termination and Adoption
2. Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship
3. Offering the Different Adoption Options
4. Adoption - Texas Law
5. Solving Obstacles to International Adoptions
6. Following Ethical Guidelines in Adoption Law
7. Practical Guide Through the Adoption Process
8. What to Do if Something Goes Wrong

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. GENERAL FAMILY CODE PROVISION WHICH NECESSARILY AFFECT SPECIFIC PROVISION CONCERNING PATERNITY. TERMINATION AND ADOPTION.
   9:00 - 10:00, Shannon R. Lynch
1. Definitions Important to Parentage, Termination and Adoption Issues in This Article
2. Filing Suit
3. Jurisdiction and Venue
4. Evidence
5. Settings, Hearings and Orders
6. Child as Party; Special Appointments; Social Studies
7. Central Record File; Vital Statistics
2. TERMINATION OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
   10:15 - 11:15, Shannon R. Lynch
1. Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parent-Child Relationship
2. Voluntary Termination of Parent-Child Relationship
3. Procedures
3. ADOPTION - TEXAS LAW
   11:15 - 11:55, Shannon R. Lynch
1. Requirements
2. Hearing
3. Order
4. Miscellaneous Provisions
5. Adoption Services by TDPRS
6. Voluntary Adoption Registries and Opening Adoption Records
7. Open Versus Closed Adoptions
4. OFFERING THE DIFFERENT ADOPTION OPTIONS
   12:55 - 1:35, Jenny L. Womack
1. Adopting through an Agency
2. Adopting Privately/Independently
3. Adopting Through CPS
4. Adopting a Relative
1. Stepparent
Other Relatives
5. Adopting an Adult
5. SOLVING OBSTACLES TO INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
   1:35 - 2:15, Jenny L. Womack
1. Interstate Adptions
   1. Understanding the Interstate Compact
   2. Complying with ICPC
2. International Adoptions
   1. Making Clients Aware of the Risks and Realitites
   2. Choosing an Adoption Program
   3. Dealing with USCIS
   4. Recognizing the Laws Involved
   5. Finalizing the Process
6. FOLLOWING ETHICAL GUIDELINES IN ADOPTION LAW
   2:30 - 3:30, Dale A. Burrows
1. Identifying Conflicts of Interest
2. Confidentiality in Adoption Cases
3. Guidelines for Setting Fair Attorney Fees
4. Observing the Rules of Professional Conduct
7. PRACTICAL GUIDE THROUGH THE ADOPTION PROCESS
   3:30 - 4:00, Dale A. Burrows
1. Preparation of Pre- and Post-Placement Reports
2. The Interrelated Roles of Social Worker and Attorney
3. Determining Fees and Expenses
4. How to Conduct a Thorough Background Check
5. The Adoption Home Study: A Look Into the Reality
6. Working With Birth Parents: What You Need to Do
7. State and Local Services Available to All Parties Involved
8. Medical Care and Insurance Coverage for Birth Mother and Child
9. Responsibilities of the Guardian Ad Litem
10. Unique Considerations When Adopting Special Needs Children
8. WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
   4:00 - 4:30, Dale A. Burrows
1. Rights of the Biological Parents vs. Adoptive Parents: Who Takes Precedence?
2. Proving a Parent is Unfit in Contested Adoptions
3. Tackling Third-Party Challenges
4. Procedures for Dissolution of Adoption
5. Withdrawal of Consent? What to do Next
6. Correctly Handling an Appeal of the Adoption Decree

DALE A. BURROWS is the owner of the Law Office of Dale A. Burrows, P.C., where he focuses solely on the representation and litigation of family law matters. Mr. Burrows has represented hundreds of Texas children as the court appointed attorney ad litem in Family and Protective Services (CPS) cases.  He also has served as an Assistant District Attorney in Upshur County and worked with the Texas Attorney General's Office, Child Support Enforcement Division.  Mr. Burrows was Board Certified as a specialist in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2001. He earned his J.D. degree from St. Mary's Law School in San Antonio, Texas. He is a proud member of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity, the State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section) and the Dallas and Denton County bar associations.

SHANNON R. LYNCH is the owner of the Law Office of Shannon R. Lynch and also serves as counsel to Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc. She primarily focuses her practice on extensive mediation, family law and litigation. Ms. Lynch is a frequent lecturer and has written numerous articles for professional seminars in her areas of practice. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Texas Collaborative Lawyers (founding member), Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, Texas Academy of Mediators, the American and Dallas bar associations and the State Bar of Texas. She earned her B.B.A degree and J.D. degree from Southern Methodist University.

JENNY L. WOMACK is an attorney at Wilson & Lake, L.L.P., a Dallas, Texas law firm. Ms. Womack practices adoption, family law, collaborative law and simple estate planning as well as mediating family law matters. She earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, and her J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Womack is a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and serves on the CLE Committee as well as coordinating the Mentor Program for new fellows. In 2009, Ms. Womack was named an Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Family Law Section of both the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association. In addition, Ms. Womack was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star by Texas Monthly magazine in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. She also has spoken and has written on adoption related matters several times.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com