Visitation After Termination of Parental Rights?
Saturday/January19/08
A recent Georgia case has been settled
by avoiding a formal adoption proceeding.
Last year, Stephen Grant murdered his wife, Tara.
Tara's sister, Alicia Standerfer, who lived in Ohio,
took the children in. Later, she and her husband
tried to adopt them. But Mr. Grant's sister, Kelly
Utykanski, and her husband wanted the children. The
Utykanskis, unlike the Standerfers, are childless.
When the case came up for trial, Judge John Foster mediated an agreement between the two couples rather than put them to trial. Under the agreement, the children will continue to live with the Standerfers, but the Utykanskis will have visitation rights.
Mr. Grant's parental rights were terminated. Under the law, the children no longer have any legal relationship with him. Had the Standerfers then adopted the children, they could have prohibited the Utykanskis from seeing them. Avoiding adoption of the children led to a compromise acceptable to all.
When the case came up for trial, Judge John Foster mediated an agreement between the two couples rather than put them to trial. Under the agreement, the children will continue to live with the Standerfers, but the Utykanskis will have visitation rights.
Mr. Grant's parental rights were terminated. Under the law, the children no longer have any legal relationship with him. Had the Standerfers then adopted the children, they could have prohibited the Utykanskis from seeing them. Avoiding adoption of the children led to a compromise acceptable to all.
