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Who will be at the court hearing?

Present at the hearing will be a judge, the judge’s clerk and court reporter, your social worker, an attorney for AOW, and any family or support people you would like to be present. A Guardian ad Litem (GAL), who is an attorney representing the best interests of the child being placed for adoption, will also be present. If you wish, you can have your own attorney at the hearing, as well. If you are a birth parent under 18, you will also have a GAL to represent your best interests.  You can also choose to have the adoptive parents present at the hearing for support. This is a closed hearing and is not open to the public.  Anyone attending the hearing, outside of the necessary parties, requires your permission to be there.