Live in person hours at SC Bar Conference Center, 1501 Park St, Columbia, SC 29201

South Carolina Adoption Law and Practice - A Guide for Attorneys, Certified Investigators, and Families was first published by the South Carolina Bar in 2010. The long-awaited second edition of this adoption law treatise will serve as the course materials for this six-hour CLE. The program will focus on changes in adoption law over the past decade and look to the future, including a discussion of new frontiers in family formation. For the first time, a chapter on termination of parental rights is included in the second edition. The appendix of the book contains forms and sample pleadings. Also, included in this seminar is a discussion of ethical practice in adoption law led by Justice John Kittredge.

The seminar is geared toward private attorneys interested in beginning or expanding their adoption law practice; DSS attorneys, indigent defense attorneys, guardians ad litem and their attorneys, certified adoption investigators and DSS caseworkers.

This seminar is a basic to intermediate level program.

This program qualifies for 6.0 MCLE credit hours, including 1.0 LEPR credit hour
SC Supreme Commission on CLE Course #: 234311

About the Book
South Carolina Adoption Law and Practice - A Guide for Attorneys, Certified Investigators and Families, Second Edition

Whether you are an attorney who is interested in expanding your practice to include termination of parental rights and adoption, or you are an experienced adoption attorney looking to hone your skills, South Carolina Adoption Law and Practice is a valuable resource. The book addresses many topics, including,

1. choosing the right legal theory: custody, TPR or adoption
2. the Responsible Father Registry
3. the presumption of legitimacy
4. the law and art of witnessing a consent
5. attacking finalized adoptions
6. the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
7. the Indian Child Welfare Act
8. Foster parent rights
9. Grounds for termination of parental rights
10. Defending birth parents in a TPR proceeding
11. Exploring adoption options for various family formations, such as step-parent, second parent, and joint adoption
12. The role of attachment in defining a child's best interest
13. the attorney's responsibility to provide medical/social information on the child and birth family
14. Proposing a ethical paradigm for adoption attorneys

Summary of Contents:

Chapter 1:  A Prologue
Chapter 2:  The Intersection of Adoption Law and Related Legal Concepts
Chapter 3:  Ethical Challenges in Adoption Practice
Chapter 4:  Consent
Chapter 5:  Birth Father Rights and Responsibilities
Chapter 6:  The Best Interest of the Child
Chapter 7:  Termination of Parental Rights
Chapter 8:  New Frontiers in Family Formation
Chapter 9:  Confidentiality in Adoptions: Degrees of Openness and Access to Adoption Records
Chapter 10:  Counseling, Investigations and Reports
Chapter 11: Financial Considerations
Chapter 12: Interstate Adoptions
Chapter 13: Indian Child Welfare Act
Chapter 14: Attacks on Finalized Adoptions

Appendices of Forms (includes forms, practice tips, website references)

This book can serve as a desktop reference for attorneys and certified investigators, as it provides sample pleadings, orders and practice forms. [Each purchase will include the hardcopy, as well as a PDF download of the book text and forms.]  

Registration Fees:
$335 - (includes publication - South Carolina Adoption Law and Practice - A Guide for Attorneys, Certified Investigators and Families, Second Edition by James Fletcher Thompson
$125 - Paralegals (book sold separately, $120)
Big Ticket Holder: $0 (subscribers pay book retail cost of $120 - after the seminar, price will be $140)

*Certified Adoption Investigators (CAI) and employees of adoption agencies are free to register for the adoption seminar at the paralegal rate, whether they wish to attend in person or by live webcast.

NON-SC BAR MEMBER REGISTRATION INFORMATION: A non-SC Bar Member will need to create an account. To create a new account click here and follow the instructions carefully. Once you have created your account it is advised that you close all browers and go back to the registration page at https://cle.scbar.org/Seminars/Info/sessionaltcd/S2023_026 (for live in-person) or  https://cle.scbar.org/Seminars/Info/sessionaltcd/W2023_026 (for live webcast) and log in . PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT create a new account if you are a current South Carolina Bar member or a past South Carolina Bar member returning to practice. If you have taken a past program with us and not sure of your login, please contact registrar@scbar.org or 803-576-3822.