A follow-up email from Dawn Williams:
Good Evening everyone,
Just wanted all of you to know that Heidi and Erik are home with their children. They left Ukraine at noon today which was 4am CST and arrived in Washington (after a layover in New York) about 8pm CST this evening. That's about 19 hours travel time with 4 small children.
I understand that the day went pretty well with lots of adventures along the way. I am anxious to hear the details, but right now I guess they are all heading for home and bed. But if you saw all the toys and colorful things in the children's room you would wonder how long it will take to settle down. What a wonderful time for the Brun family.
There were lots of tears when Heidi and Erik saw their friends and called me tonight. They are glad to be home and have their children with them. I am very grateful they are home as well.
Please continue to keep this new family in your prayers.
Thank you for all your support.
Dawn Williams
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Fasten Your Seat Belts
An email from Dawn Williams:
Good Morning everyone
I received a call from Heidi at 4am this morning. The door to the airplane was closing and they were on and in their seats. All 7 of them.
She said the children were all pretty excited last night, the boys slept with them and the girls slept all night. It went wonderful at the airport when they arrived. The girls were apprehensive about getting onto the airplane but the flight attendants helped and everything went without any problems.
They have a 12 hour flight to New York but it sounds like they will have some help on the plane if needed.
Jenn (Jennifer Bindhammer, a good friend in DC) sent me some pictures of the children's room. There are pretty beds with colorful quilts and sheets and lots of presents for the children. It will be a wonderful homecoming.
Jenn also said she would send pictures of them landing which I will share with all of you.
We will keep everyone updated as our new family settles in.
Thanks to everyone
Dawn
Good Morning everyone
I received a call from Heidi at 4am this morning. The door to the airplane was closing and they were on and in their seats. All 7 of them.
She said the children were all pretty excited last night, the boys slept with them and the girls slept all night. It went wonderful at the airport when they arrived. The girls were apprehensive about getting onto the airplane but the flight attendants helped and everything went without any problems.
They have a 12 hour flight to New York but it sounds like they will have some help on the plane if needed.
Jenn (Jennifer Bindhammer, a good friend in DC) sent me some pictures of the children's room. There are pretty beds with colorful quilts and sheets and lots of presents for the children. It will be a wonderful homecoming.
Jenn also said she would send pictures of them landing which I will share with all of you.
We will keep everyone updated as our new family settles in.
Thanks to everyone
Dawn
Friday, February 6, 2009
Operation Squirrel
Operation Squirrel
Translation in Russian to something like "belchka" or the crafty, wiley character that is ready to take on anything that comes it's way. (according to Erik)
When I spoke with Erik this afternoon (11:30 PM Kiev time) he asked me to send out this request to you for moral support and prayers.
The scene: Erik and Heidi in Kiev with their 4 kids for the first time, pretty much on their own (thank goodness not entirely).
The background: With little to no bonding time, nor Russian language learning time (all of which were on the agenda, until derailed by the antics pulled by the Internaut Director and the caring, caregivers), Erik and Heidi find themselves with the immediate need to keep the kids rounded-up and safe in the city's largest park, while giving them their new-found freedoms. Along with other instant-parenthood challenges confronting loving and caring couples.
Earlier Today in Kiev: While traveling and performing all the necessities of life on the road, and in a hotel in the big city, the kids had a major melt-down. Many of the toys and gifts they've provided wound up on the floor in shreds or broken, amid the torrent of cries, screams and other "acting out" activities. Teachers to the rescue! Fortunately, they were visited by two teachers from the prestigious International Elementary School (where all the state officials and dignitaries send their children). Sergei and Olga arrived on the scene just in time to diffuse, soothe, and calm the young band of rebels. (Apparently Christina was the leader of the rebellion.)
Tonight at the Hotel: Organization is now the rule. Instigators (the girls) have been separated from those who are cleaning up the messes made earlier and seeking ways to repair broken electronics (the boys). Bonding has an opportunity. Bedtime has come late however.
Tomorrow at the Airport: Joined by Max, they will be boarding a 12:10 PM flight. Erik and Heidi will be accompanied to the airport by Leysa (Ben Robinson's sister-in-law) and Ben Robinson (Heidi's cousin), for whose help, they are most thankful.
Here's where your prayers would be most helpful:
Erick Wand
Translation in Russian to something like "belchka" or the crafty, wiley character that is ready to take on anything that comes it's way. (according to Erik)
When I spoke with Erik this afternoon (11:30 PM Kiev time) he asked me to send out this request to you for moral support and prayers.
The scene: Erik and Heidi in Kiev with their 4 kids for the first time, pretty much on their own (thank goodness not entirely).
The background: With little to no bonding time, nor Russian language learning time (all of which were on the agenda, until derailed by the antics pulled by the Internaut Director and the caring, caregivers), Erik and Heidi find themselves with the immediate need to keep the kids rounded-up and safe in the city's largest park, while giving them their new-found freedoms. Along with other instant-parenthood challenges confronting loving and caring couples.
Earlier Today in Kiev: While traveling and performing all the necessities of life on the road, and in a hotel in the big city, the kids had a major melt-down. Many of the toys and gifts they've provided wound up on the floor in shreds or broken, amid the torrent of cries, screams and other "acting out" activities. Teachers to the rescue! Fortunately, they were visited by two teachers from the prestigious International Elementary School (where all the state officials and dignitaries send their children). Sergei and Olga arrived on the scene just in time to diffuse, soothe, and calm the young band of rebels. (Apparently Christina was the leader of the rebellion.)
Tonight at the Hotel: Organization is now the rule. Instigators (the girls) have been separated from those who are cleaning up the messes made earlier and seeking ways to repair broken electronics (the boys). Bonding has an opportunity. Bedtime has come late however.
Tomorrow at the Airport: Joined by Max, they will be boarding a 12:10 PM flight. Erik and Heidi will be accompanied to the airport by Leysa (Ben Robinson's sister-in-law) and Ben Robinson (Heidi's cousin), for whose help, they are most thankful.
Here's where your prayers would be most helpful:
- To avoid any kind of public display of dissatisfaction on the part of the children.
- To have the officials avoid having this become a problem.
- To encourage the airport to provide an expediter who would get them through the system with ease
- To ensure a safe flight that provides a sense of awe and wonderment for children who will soon see what the wonderful world they are about to enter.
- And for continuing to provide Erik and Heidi with the composure, intelligence, perseverance and faith to be the excellent parents we know they will be.
Erick Wand
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Iraq was Safer Than This Trip
We both agree, Iraqi was safer than this trip. At 0800 Friday we felt doomed, the Director of the Orphanage had been fighting us tooth and nail for 6 weeks. She had asked for the city prosecutors office to prepare an appeal to the court order granting the adoption.
We got to the City Prosecutor before he made up his mind. He called her into his office to chewed her out. Then on the last day of the 10 day waiting period, she turns in an intent to appeal letter she had done by a private lawyer.
Thursday night, we left our lawyers with grim news about any fancy footwork. The Director would not budge and we had a letter of intent to appeal, a twenty day delay and when they delivered the appeal, it would drag the fight out 3-6 months and no confidence of success. We were exhausted, low or out of leave, broke and almost broken.
We had been told that Friday morning, a special meeting was to be held with a delegation from Lugansk, the regional capitol. The Local Inspector was told this was a fact finding mission about the case.
We woke up Friday morning, the day we would normally have picked up the kids. We read the last day, day 40, of the Love Dare. (Its a couples devotional we brought with us on the trip, based on the Film "Fireproof"). Then we found we both had the same thought: Lets go back by the City Prosecutor's Office. Max, our facilitator, was going to the Inspector's Office and Vova, our translator and Friend, joined us on our desperate mission.
We waited outside the Prosecutors office for twenty minutes, no appointment, no citizenship. He agreed to meet us and we were seated at in front of his desk at 0930. He is in his late 40s, in a suit this time (Last meeting was on a Saturday), with two Deputy Prosecutors standing by. He told us he had heard about the appeal and had made a few calls. He had just talked to the Director and found out she was trying to get Press at the meeting and her good Friends where some of the Inspectors coming. During this discussion, I got a text message from Max saying that we would meet up in front of the Orphanage at 1130 for the meeting. It was planed to be a trap, and we were the target!
The City Prosecutor did what he does best, he got mad. He asked us if we would file a complaint, and called the Militia (law enforcement) for some information. About 10 minutes later a uniformed Militia Officer came in with a report. 65 runaway cases in the city last year and 54 of them from the Internaugt. He was going to launch several investigations!
He was moving fast now, he called the press and turned off any planed coverage (I think) and we went to the Deputy Prosecutor's office who handles Family court where Max joined us and we started writing. At 1115 we were escorted by her and the Deputy Prosecutor who represented the state in our hearing into two cabs (Russlan and Aleg at the wheel) and we got to the Internaut at 1125.
"High Noon," at 1130, as we walked to the front door, the Prosecutors had gotten ahead of us and were heading upstairs. We where stopped and made to wait in the lobby by a male teacher as a Sergeant at arms. The Inspector joined us in the in the holding pen, until the door person was talked into calling for updated orders on our detention.
We where sent to the Directors waiting room and the Inspector joined the cat fight inside. We waited for hour and a half, listing too heated discussions and watching people shuttle in and out for copies of our complaint.
It was all insane, but thank goodness we got to wait outside the door. In any event - after two separate trips to the prosecutor's office, three visits to the best adoption lawyer in town (previous prosecutor) and a visit by three regional directors above the Director along with two of the city prosecutors the Director pulled the intent to appeal at 1307 hrs.
The Scene, the Directors office at about 1500, the Director trying to look in control, the local Inspector, the three Regional Directors, and the two local deputy prosecutors at a "lets kiss and make nice" meeting:
Erik got the last laugh when he pulled out the Ukraine Family Code Book from his jacket pocket and told all the ladies that made the Director change her mind on the appeal ( that "(he) appreciated the wisdom of the laws of the this country". The Director was about to croak when she saw the book! They laughed too, well all but the Director!
The "Best interest of the Children"! Chapter 18 article 218!
The Inspectors, Prosecutors promised to stand by until we got the kids out, they left with us at 1655. We piled in a cab and drove directly to Get Maxim and meet Vova there. He had rode ahead to get things moving. What a day, God be praised!
Sunday Night-Long story short - we have two more stops on Mon and Tue am and then we travel back to Kiev and should be able to fly by the weekend.
Heidi sends:
This parenting thing would be a lot better if the daughters would stop sending death looks! Ha! The girls are still stinkers, but they come along now and then!
Max and Sasha both have slept in our bed with us a bit the past two nights so those guys are coming around!
The caregivers sure didn't do us any favors! Just the fact that the girls get in a stink even when we try to warn them on caution stuff or trying to stop them from walking in front of a car (cars don't stop for anything out here!) and especially with the snow and ice!
But we are getting through it!
Apparently they are enjoying the "freedom of it all." No routines, but according to our translators, they don't believe the freedom will last! We have kind of let them just be, once we get them back to the two room and living room suite we are currently in. We get them washed up (the girls have learned the bathtub routine is more fun in warm water and a real full tub)! (They are all used to getting hosed down maybe once a week in a 3x3 floor basin. And the boys have both had baths too and they seem to enjoy them! Unfortunatly Maxim wanted to take one after the girls drained all the hot water (it is a small electric water heater that takes a while to regenerate once you have used it all) but he still had a bath (with bubble bath soap of course!).
Today we let them sleep in til they woke up and then we all just hung out till noon- they watching dvds and the TV and Erik and I just repacking our stuff (we moved from our one room hotel room to the suite at night so we had no prep time and it was a bit of a mess to do and recover from)! Christina even stayed in her pajamas til 1pm and told our translators about it later. We met up with Max and Vova to head to the stable to get a pony ride and take the kids on a sleigh ride. They liked most of it, except when we hit a curve and the sleigh turned over a bit and pitched all of us out (I was the only other adult besides the horse owner on) and they were cold, snowy and the girls were scared of every bump. I had to turn him around after that. Dasha was with us (Roslun's daughter) and was disappointed because she loved it all! She told Vova and Max later what they all said on the ride. It was fun to get the intrepretation even though I pretty much knew the girls were unhappy and Sasha was cold (he had gotten his gloves all wet before we even had left the hotel with a snowball fight and cleaning off Alec's car). The snow was wonderful though!
Took the kids clothes shopping tonight. Soo many decisions they never, ever had to make before!!! The girls both got matching pink dresses and tights with pretty flowers on the lower legs. The dress is really what made Christina happy! They also got a pair of pants too. They wouldn't pick out anything else though we wanted them too. The boys got a couple of pairs of pants and tops and sweaters. They were not really helpful in trying stuff on either! It doesn't help that the clothes shop is in a toy store. The second store we went to was for underwear, and the place we went for coats - yep, another toy store! So Maxim got the remote control car he was hoping for, and the others got something fun too!
We tried to do a family photo - well we did it but Sasha was really homesick and this was only 2 hours after they left so he was looking down. I really don't know how the photo turned out yet, but will look at it. We will try to get another taken to send ya!
Love to all
Erik & Heidi
the blesd
We got to the City Prosecutor before he made up his mind. He called her into his office to chewed her out. Then on the last day of the 10 day waiting period, she turns in an intent to appeal letter she had done by a private lawyer.
Thursday night, we left our lawyers with grim news about any fancy footwork. The Director would not budge and we had a letter of intent to appeal, a twenty day delay and when they delivered the appeal, it would drag the fight out 3-6 months and no confidence of success. We were exhausted, low or out of leave, broke and almost broken.
We had been told that Friday morning, a special meeting was to be held with a delegation from Lugansk, the regional capitol. The Local Inspector was told this was a fact finding mission about the case.
We woke up Friday morning, the day we would normally have picked up the kids. We read the last day, day 40, of the Love Dare. (Its a couples devotional we brought with us on the trip, based on the Film "Fireproof"). Then we found we both had the same thought: Lets go back by the City Prosecutor's Office. Max, our facilitator, was going to the Inspector's Office and Vova, our translator and Friend, joined us on our desperate mission.
We waited outside the Prosecutors office for twenty minutes, no appointment, no citizenship. He agreed to meet us and we were seated at in front of his desk at 0930. He is in his late 40s, in a suit this time (Last meeting was on a Saturday), with two Deputy Prosecutors standing by. He told us he had heard about the appeal and had made a few calls. He had just talked to the Director and found out she was trying to get Press at the meeting and her good Friends where some of the Inspectors coming. During this discussion, I got a text message from Max saying that we would meet up in front of the Orphanage at 1130 for the meeting. It was planed to be a trap, and we were the target!
The City Prosecutor did what he does best, he got mad. He asked us if we would file a complaint, and called the Militia (law enforcement) for some information. About 10 minutes later a uniformed Militia Officer came in with a report. 65 runaway cases in the city last year and 54 of them from the Internaugt. He was going to launch several investigations!
He was moving fast now, he called the press and turned off any planed coverage (I think) and we went to the Deputy Prosecutor's office who handles Family court where Max joined us and we started writing. At 1115 we were escorted by her and the Deputy Prosecutor who represented the state in our hearing into two cabs (Russlan and Aleg at the wheel) and we got to the Internaut at 1125.
"High Noon," at 1130, as we walked to the front door, the Prosecutors had gotten ahead of us and were heading upstairs. We where stopped and made to wait in the lobby by a male teacher as a Sergeant at arms. The Inspector joined us in the in the holding pen, until the door person was talked into calling for updated orders on our detention.
We where sent to the Directors waiting room and the Inspector joined the cat fight inside. We waited for hour and a half, listing too heated discussions and watching people shuttle in and out for copies of our complaint.
It was all insane, but thank goodness we got to wait outside the door. In any event - after two separate trips to the prosecutor's office, three visits to the best adoption lawyer in town (previous prosecutor) and a visit by three regional directors above the Director along with two of the city prosecutors the Director pulled the intent to appeal at 1307 hrs.
The Scene, the Directors office at about 1500, the Director trying to look in control, the local Inspector, the three Regional Directors, and the two local deputy prosecutors at a "lets kiss and make nice" meeting:
Erik got the last laugh when he pulled out the Ukraine Family Code Book from his jacket pocket and told all the ladies that made the Director change her mind on the appeal ( that "(he) appreciated the wisdom of the laws of the this country". The Director was about to croak when she saw the book! They laughed too, well all but the Director!
The "Best interest of the Children"! Chapter 18 article 218!
The Inspectors, Prosecutors promised to stand by until we got the kids out, they left with us at 1655. We piled in a cab and drove directly to Get Maxim and meet Vova there. He had rode ahead to get things moving. What a day, God be praised!
Sunday Night-Long story short - we have two more stops on Mon and Tue am and then we travel back to Kiev and should be able to fly by the weekend.
Heidi sends:
This parenting thing would be a lot better if the daughters would stop sending death looks! Ha! The girls are still stinkers, but they come along now and then!
Max and Sasha both have slept in our bed with us a bit the past two nights so those guys are coming around!
The caregivers sure didn't do us any favors! Just the fact that the girls get in a stink even when we try to warn them on caution stuff or trying to stop them from walking in front of a car (cars don't stop for anything out here!) and especially with the snow and ice!
But we are getting through it!
Apparently they are enjoying the "freedom of it all." No routines, but according to our translators, they don't believe the freedom will last! We have kind of let them just be, once we get them back to the two room and living room suite we are currently in. We get them washed up (the girls have learned the bathtub routine is more fun in warm water and a real full tub)! (They are all used to getting hosed down maybe once a week in a 3x3 floor basin. And the boys have both had baths too and they seem to enjoy them! Unfortunatly Maxim wanted to take one after the girls drained all the hot water (it is a small electric water heater that takes a while to regenerate once you have used it all) but he still had a bath (with bubble bath soap of course!).
Today we let them sleep in til they woke up and then we all just hung out till noon- they watching dvds and the TV and Erik and I just repacking our stuff (we moved from our one room hotel room to the suite at night so we had no prep time and it was a bit of a mess to do and recover from)! Christina even stayed in her pajamas til 1pm and told our translators about it later. We met up with Max and Vova to head to the stable to get a pony ride and take the kids on a sleigh ride. They liked most of it, except when we hit a curve and the sleigh turned over a bit and pitched all of us out (I was the only other adult besides the horse owner on) and they were cold, snowy and the girls were scared of every bump. I had to turn him around after that. Dasha was with us (Roslun's daughter) and was disappointed because she loved it all! She told Vova and Max later what they all said on the ride. It was fun to get the intrepretation even though I pretty much knew the girls were unhappy and Sasha was cold (he had gotten his gloves all wet before we even had left the hotel with a snowball fight and cleaning off Alec's car). The snow was wonderful though!
Took the kids clothes shopping tonight. Soo many decisions they never, ever had to make before!!! The girls both got matching pink dresses and tights with pretty flowers on the lower legs. The dress is really what made Christina happy! They also got a pair of pants too. They wouldn't pick out anything else though we wanted them too. The boys got a couple of pairs of pants and tops and sweaters. They were not really helpful in trying stuff on either! It doesn't help that the clothes shop is in a toy store. The second store we went to was for underwear, and the place we went for coats - yep, another toy store! So Maxim got the remote control car he was hoping for, and the others got something fun too!
We tried to do a family photo - well we did it but Sasha was really homesick and this was only 2 hours after they left so he was looking down. I really don't know how the photo turned out yet, but will look at it. We will try to get another taken to send ya!
Love to all
Erik & Heidi
the blesd
Living by the Rules (Book)
The Scene: The Directors office, after she has been forced to withdraw her appeal, a lets kiss and make nice meeting:
Erik did get the last laugh with the Director when he pulled out the Ukraine Family Code Book and told all the ladies that made the Director change her mind on the appeal (the local Inspector, the three Regional Directors, and the two local prosecutors) that "(he) apprecated the wisdom of the laws of the this country." The Director was about to croak when she saw the book! They laughed too, well all but the Director!
The chapter in the regulation book for Adoption issues is 18 but the article that sites the Best interest of the Children is 218.
Erik and Heidi
Ukranian Adoption Law Translation follows:
Chapter 18
Erik did get the last laugh with the Director when he pulled out the Ukraine Family Code Book and told all the ladies that made the Director change her mind on the appeal (the local Inspector, the three Regional Directors, and the two local prosecutors) that "(he) apprecated the wisdom of the laws of the this country." The Director was about to croak when she saw the book! They laughed too, well all but the Director!
The chapter in the regulation book for Adoption issues is 18 but the article that sites the Best interest of the Children is 218.
Erik and Heidi
Ukranian Adoption Law Translation follows:
Chapter 18
Adoption
Article 207. the definition of adoption
1. Adoption is acceptance of a person by the adoptive parent to his/her family on rights of a daughter or a son, which is made on the ground of court decision, except in case, specified in article 282 of this Code.
2. Adoption of a child is made in his/her best interests for ensuring stable and harmonious life conditions.
Article 208. Person who can be adopted
1. A child can be adopted (article 6 of this code)
2. In exceptional cases a court can make a decision about adoption of an adult person, who doesn’t have mother, father or was deprived of their care. In such case the court takes into consideration family status of the adoptive parent, particularly absence of children, and other circumstances that are of considerable importance.
Article 209. Adoption of a child, who hasn’t been taken from maternity hospital, or was abandoned, or found.
1. A child, who hasn’t been taken from maternity hospital or another medical institution, or whose parents or other relatives refused to pick him/her up, may be adopted after attaining of 2 months of age.
2. A child who was abandoned or found may be adopted after 2 months from the time he/she was found.
Article 207. the definition of adoption
1. Adoption is acceptance of a person by the adoptive parent to his/her family on rights of a daughter or a son, which is made on the ground of court decision, except in case, specified in article 282 of this Code.
2. Adoption of a child is made in his/her best interests for ensuring stable and harmonious life conditions.
Article 208. Person who can be adopted
1. A child can be adopted (article 6 of this code)
2. In exceptional cases a court can make a decision about adoption of an adult person, who doesn’t have mother, father or was deprived of their care. In such case the court takes into consideration family status of the adoptive parent, particularly absence of children, and other circumstances that are of considerable importance.
Article 209. Adoption of a child, who hasn’t been taken from maternity hospital, or was abandoned, or found.
1. A child, who hasn’t been taken from maternity hospital or another medical institution, or whose parents or other relatives refused to pick him/her up, may be adopted after attaining of 2 months of age.
2. A child who was abandoned or found may be adopted after 2 months from the time he/she was found.
Article 210. Adoption of siblings.
1. If brothers and sisters are registered for possible adoption, they cannot be separated in their adoption.
If there are circumstances of considerable significance, the court with agreement of the body of guardianship and care can decree the decision about adoption of someone of them or about adoption by different persons.
2. If adoption of a child is not secret, brother and sister have the right to know his/her new place of residence.
Article 211. The persons who can be adoptive parents.
1. The adoptive parent must be at least 21 years old, except when he/she is a relative to the child.
2. The adoptive parent must be at least 15 years older than the child he/she wishes to adopt. The difference in age between the adoptive parent and the child cannot be greater than 45 years.
In case of adoption of an adult the difference in age mustn’t be less than 18 years.
3. A married couple may become adoptive parents, as well as the persons specified in parts 5 and 6 of this article. The adoptive parents may not be the persons of the same sex.
4. The persons who are not married to one another may not adopt the same child. If such persons live together like a family, court may decree the decision of adoption by them.
5. If a child has only mother, he/she may not be adopted by a man, who is not married to his/her mother. If a child has only father, he/she may not be adopted by a woman, who is not married to his/her father. If such persons live together like a family, court may decree the decision of adoption by them.
6. If a child has only father or only mother, who in connection with adoption lose legal connection with the child, just one man or one woman may become the adoptive parent of the child.
7. The number of children who may be adopted by one adoptive parent is not restricted.
Article 212. Persons who may not be the adoptive parents
1. The following persons may not be the adoptive parents:
1) with limited legal capacity
2) declared incapable
3) deprived of parent rights, if these rights have not been renewed
4) those who have been the adoptive parents of another child, but the adoption was annulled or declared not valid through their fault.
5) registered under care of being treated by psychoneurological or narcological dispensary
6) those who misuse alcohol or drugs
7) those who don’t have permanent residence or constant earnings (fixed income)
8) sick with diseases, the list of which is stated by Ministry of health protection of Ukraine
9) foreigners who are not married, except cases, when the foreigner is a relative to the child.
2. Apart from the persons, specified in part 1 of this article, persons, whose interests contradict interests of the child may not be the adoptive parents.
1. If brothers and sisters are registered for possible adoption, they cannot be separated in their adoption.
If there are circumstances of considerable significance, the court with agreement of the body of guardianship and care can decree the decision about adoption of someone of them or about adoption by different persons.
2. If adoption of a child is not secret, brother and sister have the right to know his/her new place of residence.
Article 211. The persons who can be adoptive parents.
1. The adoptive parent must be at least 21 years old, except when he/she is a relative to the child.
2. The adoptive parent must be at least 15 years older than the child he/she wishes to adopt. The difference in age between the adoptive parent and the child cannot be greater than 45 years.
In case of adoption of an adult the difference in age mustn’t be less than 18 years.
3. A married couple may become adoptive parents, as well as the persons specified in parts 5 and 6 of this article. The adoptive parents may not be the persons of the same sex.
4. The persons who are not married to one another may not adopt the same child. If such persons live together like a family, court may decree the decision of adoption by them.
5. If a child has only mother, he/she may not be adopted by a man, who is not married to his/her mother. If a child has only father, he/she may not be adopted by a woman, who is not married to his/her father. If such persons live together like a family, court may decree the decision of adoption by them.
6. If a child has only father or only mother, who in connection with adoption lose legal connection with the child, just one man or one woman may become the adoptive parent of the child.
7. The number of children who may be adopted by one adoptive parent is not restricted.
Article 212. Persons who may not be the adoptive parents
1. The following persons may not be the adoptive parents:
1) with limited legal capacity
2) declared incapable
3) deprived of parent rights, if these rights have not been renewed
4) those who have been the adoptive parents of another child, but the adoption was annulled or declared not valid through their fault.
5) registered under care of being treated by psychoneurological or narcological dispensary
6) those who misuse alcohol or drugs
7) those who don’t have permanent residence or constant earnings (fixed income)
8) sick with diseases, the list of which is stated by Ministry of health protection of Ukraine
9) foreigners who are not married, except cases, when the foreigner is a relative to the child.
2. Apart from the persons, specified in part 1 of this article, persons, whose interests contradict interests of the child may not be the adoptive parents.
Article 213. Persons who have preferential right before others for adoption of a child.
1. If there are several persons, who expressed desire to adopt the same child, the preferential right for his/her adoption belongs to a citizen of Ukraine:
a) whose family brings the child up;
b) who is the husband of the child’s mother, or the wife of father of the child who is adopted;
c) who adopts several children, who are siblings;
d) who is a relative of the child.
2. Apart from the persons, specified in part 1 of this article, a married couple has a preferential right for adoption of a child.
Article 217. Consent of parents for adoption of their child.
1. A child’s adoption is made with a free consent of his/her parents.
2. The parents’ consent for their child’s adoption must be unconditional. Agreement as to payment for consent for a child’s adoption by the adoptive parents to parents, guardians or other persons, with whom the child lives is ineffective.
3. Parents’ consent for adoption may be given only after the child has attained 2 months’ age.
4. If child’s mother or father is juvenile, apart from their consent for adoption, their parents’ consent is required.
5. Parents’ written consent for adoption is notarized.
6. Mother, father of the child has the right to withdraw their consent for adoption before court’s decision about adoption comes into effect.
Article 218. Consent of the child for adoption
1. the child consent is required for his/her adoption, if the child’s attained such age and level of development, that he/she can express consent. The child’s consent is given in the form corresponding to his/her age and health condition.
2. The child must be informed about legal consequences of adoption.
3. Adoption is granted without the child’s consent, if he/she with connection of age or health condition doesn’t realize the fact of adoption
4. The child’s consent is not required, when he/she lives in the family of adoptive parents and considers them his/her own parents.
Article 219. Child’s adoption without consent of parents.
1. Child’s adoption is made without his/her parents’ consent, if they are:
a) Unknown
b) Acknowledged as missing
c) Acknowledged as incapable
d) Deprived of parent’s rights as to the child who is adopted.
2. Child’s adoption may be fulfilled without consent of adult parents, if the court ascertains that they, not having lived with the child for more than 6 months, do not express parent’s care and attention, do not maintain and do not bring the child up.
1. If there are several persons, who expressed desire to adopt the same child, the preferential right for his/her adoption belongs to a citizen of Ukraine:
a) whose family brings the child up;
b) who is the husband of the child’s mother, or the wife of father of the child who is adopted;
c) who adopts several children, who are siblings;
d) who is a relative of the child.
2. Apart from the persons, specified in part 1 of this article, a married couple has a preferential right for adoption of a child.
Article 217. Consent of parents for adoption of their child.
1. A child’s adoption is made with a free consent of his/her parents.
2. The parents’ consent for their child’s adoption must be unconditional. Agreement as to payment for consent for a child’s adoption by the adoptive parents to parents, guardians or other persons, with whom the child lives is ineffective.
3. Parents’ consent for adoption may be given only after the child has attained 2 months’ age.
4. If child’s mother or father is juvenile, apart from their consent for adoption, their parents’ consent is required.
5. Parents’ written consent for adoption is notarized.
6. Mother, father of the child has the right to withdraw their consent for adoption before court’s decision about adoption comes into effect.
Article 218. Consent of the child for adoption
1. the child consent is required for his/her adoption, if the child’s attained such age and level of development, that he/she can express consent. The child’s consent is given in the form corresponding to his/her age and health condition.
2. The child must be informed about legal consequences of adoption.
3. Adoption is granted without the child’s consent, if he/she with connection of age or health condition doesn’t realize the fact of adoption
4. The child’s consent is not required, when he/she lives in the family of adoptive parents and considers them his/her own parents.
Article 219. Child’s adoption without consent of parents.
1. Child’s adoption is made without his/her parents’ consent, if they are:
a) Unknown
b) Acknowledged as missing
c) Acknowledged as incapable
d) Deprived of parent’s rights as to the child who is adopted.
2. Child’s adoption may be fulfilled without consent of adult parents, if the court ascertains that they, not having lived with the child for more than 6 months, do not express parent’s care and attention, do not maintain and do not bring the child up.
Article 221. Consent of guardian, custodian for adoption of a child
1. For adoption of a child, who is under guardianship or custody, as well as for adoption of a child, whose parents under guardianship or custody, the written consent of guardian or custodian is required, regardless of parents’ consent.
2. If guardian or custodian doesn’t give consent for child’s adoption, such consent may be given by a body of guardianship or custody.
3. The child’s adoption may be fulfilled without consent of guardian, custodian or body of guardianship and custody, if the court ascertains, that adoption of the child meets his/her interests.
Article 222. Consent of medical institution or educational institution for adoption of a child.
1. For adoption of a child, who doesn’t have parents and stays in a medical or educational institution, the written consent of this institution is required.
Adoption may be fulfilled without consent of this institution, if the court ascertains, that adoption of the child meets his/her interests.
Article 223. Application for a child’s adoption.
1. Person, who wishes to adopt a child, hands in application for adoption to the court. Handing in such application through a representative is not acceptable.
2. Application for adoption may be withdrawn before the court’s decision about adoption comes into effect.
Article 224. Court’s decision about adoption
1. The court, decreeing a decision about child’s adoption, takes into consideration circumstances, which are of considerable importance, particularly:
a) Health condition and financial circumstances of the person who wishes to adopt a child, his/her marital status, living conditions, attitude to upbringing of the child;
b) Motives, on bases of which the person wishes to adopt the child.
c) Motives why the other of married couple doesn’t wish to become an adoptive parent, if only one of the married couple applies for adoption
d) Adequacy of the person who wishes to adopt the child and how long this person has cared for the child;
e) The person of the child and his/her health condition
f) Attitude of the child to the person, who wishes to adopt him.
2. If complying with all conditions, stated in this Code, with ability of the person who wishes to adopt the child, to ensure stable and harmonious life conditions for the child, the courts grants a decree, in which this person is declared the adoptive parent of the child.
3. The court may not refuse to grant adoption to a person for the reason, that the person already has or can have a child.
4. The court, decreeing a decision about adoption of an adult, takes into account the motives, on bases of which the persons wish to adopt, the possibility of their cohabitation, their family status and health condition and other circumstances which are of considerable importance.
Article 225. The moment of fulfillment of adoption.
1. The adoption is considered fulfilled on the date when the court decision comes into effect.
2. At will of adoptive parent, a state body of registration gives an adoption certificate on the base of the court decision. The sample of the certificate is approved by the Cabinet of the ministers of Ukraine.
Article 230. The right of adoptive parent to change records about birthplace and birth date of the child.
1. A person who applies for adoption may express wish to change records about birthplace and birth date of the child.
2. Date of birth of a child can be changed to no more than six months.
3. In decision about adoption the court changes records about birth place and birth date of the child if it meets his/her interests.
Article 232. Legal consequences of adoption.
1. From the moment of fulfillment of adoption personal and property rights and duties between parents and the person who is adopted lapse, as well as between the person and his/her other relatives by birth.
If the child is adopted by one person, these rights and duties may be conserved at will of mother, if the adoptive parent is a man, or at will of father, if the adoptive parent is a woman.
2. If after a parent’s death or divorce with a person, acknowledged as incapable by the court, the other parent espouses one more time and his/her spouse in the recurring marriage wishes to adopt the child, grandfather or grandmother of the child on the side of the parent who is deceased or acknowledged incapable, his own brothers and sisters have the right to hand in application to the court as to retaining the legal connection between them and the child being adopted.
The court considers this application simultaneously with adoption application and satisfies it, if it meets the child’s interests.
3. From the moment of adoption mutual personal non-pecuniary and pecuniary rights and duties arises between the person who is adopted (and in the future between his/her children and grandchildren) and the adoptive parent and his/her relatives by birth.
4. Adoption grants to the adoptive parent rights and charges duties as to the child he/she adopted to the same extent as parents have as to the child.
5. Adoption grants rights to the person, who is adopted, and charges duties as to the adoptive parent to the same extent as a child has at to his parents.
Article 233. Alteration to birth records of the child, who is adopted.
1. On the base of the court decision about adoption a state body of status registration makes corresponding alterations in birth records of the child or the adult and issues a new birth certificate taking into account these alterations. The birth certificate that was issued before is annulled.
Article 234. reservation of child’s rights that he/she had before adoption.
1. The adopted child reserves the rights for pension, other social payment, as well as payment of indemnification in connection with loss of breadwinner, which the child had before adoption.
Article 235. Control over compliance with the rights of the child who was adopted.
1. A body of guardianship and custody exercises control over compliance with the rights of the children, who were adopted and reside in Ukraine.
2. Control over compliance with the rights of the child who was adopted, is exercised till his/her attainment of majority.
Article 236. Invalidity of adoption.
1. The adoption is nullified by the court’s decision if it was granted without consent of the children or parents, if such consent was necessary.
2. The adoption is nullified by the court’s decision if the adoptive parent didn’t wish coming into effect rights and responsibilities, which arise as result of adoption (fictitious adoption)
3. The adoption may be nullified by court decision, if it was granted on the base of forged documents
4. The adoption may be nullified by court decision, in case of absence of consent for adoption from persons specified in articles 220-222 of this Code.
5. If one of the spouses adopted a child of the other spouse, the adoption may be nullified by court decision, if it is ascertained, that at the moment of adoption the other spouse didn’t have intention to continue marital relations.
1. For adoption of a child, who is under guardianship or custody, as well as for adoption of a child, whose parents under guardianship or custody, the written consent of guardian or custodian is required, regardless of parents’ consent.
2. If guardian or custodian doesn’t give consent for child’s adoption, such consent may be given by a body of guardianship or custody.
3. The child’s adoption may be fulfilled without consent of guardian, custodian or body of guardianship and custody, if the court ascertains, that adoption of the child meets his/her interests.
Article 222. Consent of medical institution or educational institution for adoption of a child.
1. For adoption of a child, who doesn’t have parents and stays in a medical or educational institution, the written consent of this institution is required.
Adoption may be fulfilled without consent of this institution, if the court ascertains, that adoption of the child meets his/her interests.
Article 223. Application for a child’s adoption.
1. Person, who wishes to adopt a child, hands in application for adoption to the court. Handing in such application through a representative is not acceptable.
2. Application for adoption may be withdrawn before the court’s decision about adoption comes into effect.
Article 224. Court’s decision about adoption
1. The court, decreeing a decision about child’s adoption, takes into consideration circumstances, which are of considerable importance, particularly:
a) Health condition and financial circumstances of the person who wishes to adopt a child, his/her marital status, living conditions, attitude to upbringing of the child;
b) Motives, on bases of which the person wishes to adopt the child.
c) Motives why the other of married couple doesn’t wish to become an adoptive parent, if only one of the married couple applies for adoption
d) Adequacy of the person who wishes to adopt the child and how long this person has cared for the child;
e) The person of the child and his/her health condition
f) Attitude of the child to the person, who wishes to adopt him.
2. If complying with all conditions, stated in this Code, with ability of the person who wishes to adopt the child, to ensure stable and harmonious life conditions for the child, the courts grants a decree, in which this person is declared the adoptive parent of the child.
3. The court may not refuse to grant adoption to a person for the reason, that the person already has or can have a child.
4. The court, decreeing a decision about adoption of an adult, takes into account the motives, on bases of which the persons wish to adopt, the possibility of their cohabitation, their family status and health condition and other circumstances which are of considerable importance.
Article 225. The moment of fulfillment of adoption.
1. The adoption is considered fulfilled on the date when the court decision comes into effect.
2. At will of adoptive parent, a state body of registration gives an adoption certificate on the base of the court decision. The sample of the certificate is approved by the Cabinet of the ministers of Ukraine.
Article 230. The right of adoptive parent to change records about birthplace and birth date of the child.
1. A person who applies for adoption may express wish to change records about birthplace and birth date of the child.
2. Date of birth of a child can be changed to no more than six months.
3. In decision about adoption the court changes records about birth place and birth date of the child if it meets his/her interests.
Article 232. Legal consequences of adoption.
1. From the moment of fulfillment of adoption personal and property rights and duties between parents and the person who is adopted lapse, as well as between the person and his/her other relatives by birth.
If the child is adopted by one person, these rights and duties may be conserved at will of mother, if the adoptive parent is a man, or at will of father, if the adoptive parent is a woman.
2. If after a parent’s death or divorce with a person, acknowledged as incapable by the court, the other parent espouses one more time and his/her spouse in the recurring marriage wishes to adopt the child, grandfather or grandmother of the child on the side of the parent who is deceased or acknowledged incapable, his own brothers and sisters have the right to hand in application to the court as to retaining the legal connection between them and the child being adopted.
The court considers this application simultaneously with adoption application and satisfies it, if it meets the child’s interests.
3. From the moment of adoption mutual personal non-pecuniary and pecuniary rights and duties arises between the person who is adopted (and in the future between his/her children and grandchildren) and the adoptive parent and his/her relatives by birth.
4. Adoption grants to the adoptive parent rights and charges duties as to the child he/she adopted to the same extent as parents have as to the child.
5. Adoption grants rights to the person, who is adopted, and charges duties as to the adoptive parent to the same extent as a child has at to his parents.
Article 233. Alteration to birth records of the child, who is adopted.
1. On the base of the court decision about adoption a state body of status registration makes corresponding alterations in birth records of the child or the adult and issues a new birth certificate taking into account these alterations. The birth certificate that was issued before is annulled.
Article 234. reservation of child’s rights that he/she had before adoption.
1. The adopted child reserves the rights for pension, other social payment, as well as payment of indemnification in connection with loss of breadwinner, which the child had before adoption.
Article 235. Control over compliance with the rights of the child who was adopted.
1. A body of guardianship and custody exercises control over compliance with the rights of the children, who were adopted and reside in Ukraine.
2. Control over compliance with the rights of the child who was adopted, is exercised till his/her attainment of majority.
Article 236. Invalidity of adoption.
1. The adoption is nullified by the court’s decision if it was granted without consent of the children or parents, if such consent was necessary.
2. The adoption is nullified by the court’s decision if the adoptive parent didn’t wish coming into effect rights and responsibilities, which arise as result of adoption (fictitious adoption)
3. The adoption may be nullified by court decision, if it was granted on the base of forged documents
4. The adoption may be nullified by court decision, in case of absence of consent for adoption from persons specified in articles 220-222 of this Code.
5. If one of the spouses adopted a child of the other spouse, the adoption may be nullified by court decision, if it is ascertained, that at the moment of adoption the other spouse didn’t have intention to continue marital relations.
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