Judge David D. Wolfe approves James family adoption and signs name change for child

A Dixon County judge granted an adoption petition and signed a name-change order on June 16 for a child placed with Colin and Bethany (Stephanie Bradberry) James.

Judge David D. Wolfe told the parents he had reviewed the file and the home study and that "everything is in order and I will be happy to grant your adoption." The court placed the adoptive parents and a caseworker from the presenting adoption service under oath before taking testimony. Lisa Mos, identified in court as the case representative for the adoption agency, confirmed the agency's participation and the surrender documents were in the court file.

The judge reviewed statutory consequences of adoption with the Jameses — including parental rights and duties, and inheritance consequences under Tennessee law — and asked whether the birth father was unknown; the petitioners responded that the birth father could not be determined. After finding the procedural prerequisites satisfied, the judge issued the adoption decree.

The court also approved a petition to modify the child's legal name to include "David." The judge signed the name-change paperwork in open court and directed the clerk to file the order.