I seriously wonder if Catelynn and Tyler received proper legal representation during their adoption proceedings. Are the adoption documents that they signed even considered legally valid if they were both younger than 18? Wouldn't the documents be null and void if the person (s) signing the documents doesn't / don't have an understanding of what they are signing and younger than a certain age to give consent?
shareThey most likely had representation via the agency to walk them through the process. The agency knew they were under 18. I know that April did not sign off on something or any of it because that was the reason why they couldn't do the hand off on hospital property. That Dawn lady just seems like a camera wh8re who just wanted to be on tv. People that have used her services for adoption said that she doesn't even return their calls or do half the work she shows herself doing for Cate and Ty. Kim probably also was present during legal talks but it just didn't air. But you do make a good point.
shareDid Tyler's mom sign off on it? I can't remember what her stance was I just remember Butch throwing a fit. As for Catelynn's side I don't think April had a leg to stand on if she had really wanted to fight it. For her to fight the adoption would mean proving herself a suitable guardian for Catelynn and Carly and she probably knew that wouldn't go her way.
The bottom of the last page, that Tyler was holding, it clearly stated: This is not a legal binding contract.
It also had on it that all parties understood that.
So in other words, it doesn't mean anything and they played it up for the cameras.
shareI think what they were holding was the paper that had what kind of contact they wanted after the adoption (visits, photos, ect). That's not legally binding because 'open' adoption isn't a legal status.
shareBingo.
And as far as documents relating to the adoption? Agencies know how to ensure informed consent for clients, including minors. If it were to ever be truly lacking, that is very difficult to prove in court to nullify the adoption. I'm certain Tyler and Catelynn, even though minors, did not have their rights violated. I know the OP isn't suggesting that; I'm just saying.
And any documents that were made for the open adoption may not be enforced. The language in it makes a theoretical breach impossible anyway, as they used language that makes it at the descretion of the adoptive parents.