US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

A. The court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to this article in as informal a manner as the requirements of due process and fairness permit. The prospective adoptive parent, the spouse of a prospective adoptive parent and the child to be adopted shall attend unless the court orders otherwise. The court shall only allow persons who have a direct interest in the case to attend the hearing. A person who attends a hearing shall not disclose any information about the hearing. The court may require the presence of such other witnesses as it deems necessary.

B. The court shall make its findings based on a preponderance of the evidence. The court may consider any and all reports required by this article or ordered by the court pursuant to this article.