We have received some relevant points of clarification regarding the Aug 31 deadline. While we know that other questions still remain, and will update as we learn more, here is what we can tell you for now. (Click on more)
1.) Cases that have yet to enter PGN (ie are in Family Court) CAN have the bithmother interview completed. If you are being told otherwise, tell your adoption service providers to try….
2.) If you don’t meet the deadline…. What we are being told is NOT that the case will move to an abandonment hearing. What will happen is that the case will be moved to a Family Court judge and will turn into a Judicial adoption rather than than a Notarial one. What does this mean? This means that a judge will decide whether to grant the adoption. So the good news is that not meeting the deadline does not mean an end to the adoption.
We are not taking any position on the legality of what is and has been happening. For pragmatic purposes, the moves being taken by PGN and CNA are happening and thus far have not been overturned. We believe it is essential that no matter what appeals may be taking pace, that everyone push their adoption service providers to complete the birthmother interview. While a Family Court judge in a judicial process may very well approve the case, it is uncertain how long that may take. In addition, judges may understandably have reason to question why it is that the biological mother was unwilling or unable to do the interview.
As always, thanks for keeping everyone up to date.
Posted by: DP at August 14, 2008 04:05 PMIf your case turns into a judical adoption what does that mean for PGN? Does the case still have to get approval from PGN?
SJAG
Posted by: jestry at August 14, 2008 05:47 PMThis does not sound encouraging to me. I was going through a judicial adoption. The judge APPROVED my adoption over a year ago. The PGN appealed the judge's authority to approve an adoption. My case spent 10 months in Appeals Court, then a month back in Family Court, and it was determined that my case had to go back to PGN. Now, over a year after my adoption was APPROVED my case is back in PGN waiting for PGN approval.
anonymous
Thank you, Kevin, for the current update.
Has anyone successfully accomplished the BMI prior to their first PGN submission? Did your agency or attorney receive any documentation from PGN that you have seen? Perhaps a case or interview number? Any feedback will be appreciated.
Posted by: Celeste at August 15, 2008 09:47 AMHi Kevin,
I spoke to my attorney's assistant today and he is not worry about scheduling a birthmother interview. This has me worried beyond belief. I plan to call again tonight and ask that He schedule the interview for next week. If he does not is there anything I can do to make sure this interview takes place?
Kevin, could you please get IMMEDIATE clarification on if the birthmom can just show up with the foster mom, attorney, child at the attorney general's office, or if an APPOINTMENT must be made. If an appointment must be made, can our US agency-attorney make it, or does our Guatemalan attorney have to make it? Are the phone #'s the same as the posting you had in June from the CNA?? Our agency keeps telling us that the interview is going to happen this week, but cannot yet tell us if an appointment has been set. We are very stressed and concerned. Please advise!! How are they possibly going to get all of these interviews done by the 31st of August? Are they hiring extra people to conduct these interviews? Again, we thank you for your quick reply. Please let us know your source of information as well so we can notify our agency. Sincerely,
More than Ready
Dear "More than Ready"-
As stated on the CNA announcement in June, you do not need to wait for an appointment to be issued to you, you do not need a subpoena, your attorney can set up an appointment to bring in the biomother at the convenience of the biomother's schedule. We at Guatadopt.com have verified this.
Yes, the phone numbers are still the same, your attorney knows this information already.
The source of the information that you are requesting is from the CNA. Hope this clarifies things for you.
Marie, Guatadopt.com
Posted by: marie at August 19, 2008 06:31 AMFor those of you concerned with the BM interviews, CNA is very accomodating about the schedule. Our BM was brought in the day she was found by our attorney without an advance appt. We were out of PGN 11 days later.
Posted by: DLBC at August 19, 2008 11:43 AMDLBC,
We had our BMI about 3 1/2 weeks ago and have not heard anything since. Did you get out of PGN quicker then others or is that the standard ? I'm getting a little concerned because I see people writing they got out 2 -3 weeks after the BMI.
Thanks,
Hi Victoria,
We entered PGN March 3, our file was approved in May, PGN was waiting for the BM interview to release it. We believe our file was only released so quickly because it had already been approved. We know of someone who has been stuck in PGN for 2 mos post BM interview. Unfortunately, there appears to be no logic to how people are getting released from PGN, but here's hoping everyone is released soon!
I know the US Govt has not wanted to interfere in what has been going on here, but in my opinion it is time for them to step in. I don't know how many adoptions hang in the balance; but there are probably hundreds of adoptions that will now NOT be grandfathered. THIS was the agreement; they are not honoring it. This is not just about PAP's. This is about hundreds of children who will either a)be stuck in limbo for potentially years or, worse, b) children who will now grow up in an orphanage. Not to mention from what I understand the orphanages do not have room for all these additional children.
My bio mom interviews are done, so in a sense (on a personal level) I don't have to worry about what they are doing. But I am concerned for all those who have not been able to locate the bio mom for whatever reason. It seems like now is the time to make ALOT of noise about this, and I don't hear anyone complaining.
Why isn't the U.S. putting some pressure on Guatemala to honor the agreement of grandfathering cases!?
Does anyone know how many interviews are left to be completed? Are those in this predicament banding together and contacting their representatives?
This is outrageous in my opinion.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 20, 2008 01:03 PMHi Victoria,
There does not seem to be logic to when people get out of PGN after the BMI. We believe we got out so quickly because our file was already approved. We entered PGN 3/3, were approved by end of May and were just waiting for the BMI. We have heard of other people waiting up to 2 mos+ after the interview to get out of PGN. Hang in there, your time is coming!