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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 13Pt. 2Ch. 2§ 8720 Adoption Petition Denial Review

§ 8720 Adoption Petition Denial Review

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8720 Adoption Petition Denial Review

Key Takeaways

  • •If the adoption agency says the home isn't good for the child or the right permissions aren't there, they tell the court to stop the adoption.
  • •The court sets a date to talk about it and tells everyone involved by mail.
  • •The adoption agency must be there to speak up for the child.

Example

A couple wants to adopt a kid, but the agency visits their home and finds it's not safe—maybe there's no bed for the kid or the house is dirty.

The agency will tell the court, and the court will schedule a meeting to decide if the adoption can happen. The agency has to go to the meeting to make sure the kid's needs are heard.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8720 Adoption Petition Denial Review

(a) If the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency finds that the home of the petitioners is not suitable for the child or that the required agency consents are not available and the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency recommends that the petition be denied, or if the petitioners desire to withdraw the petition and the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency recommends that the petition be denied, the clerk upon receipt of the report of the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall immediately refer it to the court for review. (b) Upon receipt of the report, the court shall set a date for a hearing of the petition and shall give reasonable notice of the hearing to the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency, the petitioners, and, if necessary, the birth parents, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of each as shown in the proceeding. (c) The department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency shall appear to represent the child. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 35, Sec. 31. (SB 1013) Effective June 27, 2012.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

petitionersdepartment, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agencyhearingcertified mailrepresent the child

Related Statutes

  • § 8822 Adoption Petition Denial Review
  • § 8917 Adoption Petition Denial Review
  • § 3041 Nonparent Custody Detriment Standard
  • § 4412 Parent Hearing Citation Service
  • § 6322.5 Firearm Possession In Protective Orders

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 8720.
View Official Source