Terms Used In Michigan Laws 710.23a

  • Adoption attorney: means an attorney acting as counsel in an adoption proceeding or case. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Child: means an individual less than 18 years of age. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Child placing agency: means a private organization licensed under 1973 PA 116, MCL 722. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Court: means the family division of circuit court of this state, or if the context requires, the court having jurisdiction over adoption in another state or country. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Direct placement: means a placement in which a parent or guardian selects an adoptive parent for a child, other than a stepparent or an individual related to the child within the fifth degree by marriage, blood, or adoption, and transfers physical custody of the child to the prospective adoptive parent. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Formal placement: means a placement that is approved by the court under section 51 of this chapter. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Relative: means that term as defined in section 13a of chapter XIIA. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  • Temporary placement: means a placement that occurs before court approval under section 51 of this chapter and that meets the requirements of section 23d of this chapter. See Michigan Laws 710.22
  (1) A parent or guardian having legal and physical custody of a child may make a direct placement of the child for adoption by making a temporary placement under section 23d of this chapter or a formal placement under section 51 of this chapter. A temporary placement becomes a formal placement when the court orders the termination of the rights of the parent or parents or the guardian and approves placement under section 51 of this chapter. A formal placement under section 51 of this chapter is not required to be preceded by a temporary placement.
  (2) A parent or guardian shall personally select a prospective adoptive parent in a direct placement. The selection shall not be delegated.
  (3) In a direct placement the prospective adoptive parent, an adoption attorney, or a child placing agency shall provide information about a prospective adoptive parent to the parent or guardian before placement. This information shall include the specific information contained in a preplacement assessment as described in section 23f of this chapter, and may include additional information requested by the parent or guardian. The information does not have to include identifying information described in section 27(3) of this chapter. The parent or guardian and the prospective adoptive parent shall determine whether to exchange identifying information and whether to meet each other.
  (4) A parent or guardian having legal and physical custody of a child may make a formal placement of the child for adoption under section 51 of this chapter with a stepparent or a relative.
  (5) The court may allow the child to attend his or her adoption hearing held under this act.