Carilyn and her husband received an unexpected notice about terminating parental rights and the possibility of a stepparent adoption. Because her husband had worked with Brittany on a parenting plan revision before, they knew where to turn.
What began as a surprising development became far more complicated than they’d anticipated. Carilyn shares what it meant to have attorneys beside them as they faced a decision that would shape their child’s future.
Hear Carilyn describe the experience in her own words.
Support Through an Unexpected Change
For Carilyn, the initial notice was “completely unexpected.” The situation raised immediate questions about rights, privileges, and what the proposed change would mean for her family. She and her husband returned to Brittany, who had represented him previously. Carilyn recalled that Brittany was willing to sit with them in the shock and confusion while helping them understand what lay ahead.
The case didn’t stay straightforward. As Carilyn put it, it “ended up becoming far more complicated than we ever expected it to be.” That complexity wasn’t just procedural. It involved her time, her money, her emotional energy—and the knowledge that she’d live with the outcome for the rest of her life.
Carilyn worked with both Stephanie and Brittany throughout the process. Their responsiveness stood out to her, along with communication she found respectful, kind, and compassionate. “I always felt they were on my side,” she said.
Protecting What Mattered Most
At the center of everything was her child. Carilyn described the weight of knowing she wouldn’t have to carry that responsibility alone—that someone was genuinely partnering with her to protect her child through the legal process.
“I couldn’t have protected my child alone,” she said.
Family law cases carry real stakes and deeply personal decisions. At Johnson & Taylor, we’re here to offer clear, compassionate counsel for clients facing those moments. To talk through your situation, reach our team at (971) 318-5516.