Summation.....

sum⋅ma⋅tion [suh-mey-shuhn] :

a review or recapitulation of previously stated facts or statements, often with a final conclusion or conclusions drawn from them.

Apparently I had to take another look at that definition. Ever since we started this blog, we have had TONS of attention...traffic...publicity...and conversations. But what HAS become clear is that we have not clearly defined what the law we propose is trying to do....so this is a "summation". If you would like to read it yourself, please e-mail us and we will e-mail you "Coopers Law". Please beware, it is not a summation, it is total legal jargon and SIX pages long. But if you want it, by all means you got it. So here goes....

In Oklahoma, if you are a birthMOTHER you must go to court to relinquish your rights. You must stand in front of a judge and be questioned about your decision, your sexual relationship that led to this birth, the father, your relationship with him, wether or not you are making the right decision, etc. If you think this is exaggerating, I assure you, I am a lawyer, I have done relinquishments, and this DOES happen, every single time. It is necessary information, but humiliating none the less. However a birthFATHER can fill out a form and relinquish his rights, without going to court. SO - what we are proposing is only ADDING the option, that IF a birthmother wants to relinquish her rights and she CHOOSES to do it 48 hours after the birth of the child. She may do so, without going to court. If she would like to go to court, she may. It is HER CHOICE. It changes NOTHING about the way the law exists today....it only gives MORE options.

Another concern one gentlemen had is why only DHS and adoption agencies can do this. The short answer, they are licensed by the State as a child placing agencies. Attorneys, in general, are not licensed as child placing agencies. If they become licensed, then they would have the same ability. No harm - no foul.