Florida/Georgia Personal Injury & Workers Compensation

You're probably overthinking it. Call a lawyer.

Call Now: 904-383-7448
Florida Statute 63.142 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 63.142 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 63.142 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
63.142 Hearing; judgment of adoption.
(1) APPEARANCE.The petitioner and the person to be adopted shall appear either in person or, with the permission of the court, telephonically before a person authorized to administer an oath at the hearing on the petition for adoption, unless:
(a) The person is a minor under 12 years of age; or
(b) The appearance of either is excused by the court for good cause.
(2) CONTINUANCE.The court may continue the hearing from time to time to permit further observation, investigation, or consideration of any facts or circumstances affecting the granting of the petition.
(3) DISMISSAL.
(a) If the petition is dismissed, further proceedings, if any, regarding the minor must be brought in a separate custody action under chapter 61, a dependency action under chapter 39, or a paternity action under chapter 742.
(b) If the petition is dismissed, the court shall state with specificity the reasons for the dismissal.
(4) JUDGMENT.At the conclusion of the hearing, after the court determines that the date for a parent to file an appeal of a valid judgment terminating that parent’s parental rights has passed and no appeal, pursuant to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, is pending and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, a judgment of adoption shall be entered. A judgment terminating parental rights pending adoption is voidable and any later judgment of adoption of that minor is voidable if, upon a parent’s motion for relief from judgment, the court finds that the adoption substantially fails to meet the requirements of this chapter. The motion must be filed within a reasonable time, but not later than 1 year after the date the judgment terminating parental rights was entered.
History.s. 14, ch. 73-159; s. 3, ch. 77-140; s. 26, ch. 2001-3; s. 28, ch. 2003-58; s. 20, ch. 2008-151.

Cases Citing F.S. 63.142

Copy

·In Re Adoption of a Minor Child, 593 So. 2d 185 (Fla. 1991).

Cited 18 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 16 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 771, 1991 Fla. LEXIS 2126, 1991 WL 259752

...g concerning the child in this or any other state about which he obtained information during this proceeding. [3] The actual court order in this case is captioned "Final Order of Adoption." The statute, however, uses the term "judgment of adoption." § 63.142, Fla....
0 red1 yellow14 green0 procedural
Cited "but see"Yh (2001)
phrase: "but see"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·Solomon v. McLucas, 382 So. 2d 339 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980).

Cited 16 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

...appellant's consent. Before reviewing the evidence pertinent to that inquiry, we find it necessary to discuss those factors which are not relevant in determining whether a nonconsenting parent's rights should be terminated in an adoption proceeding. Section 63.142 permits the entry of a judgment of adoption when the trial judge determines that all necessary consents have been obtained and that the adoption is in the best interests of the person to be adopted....
0 red0 yellow5 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityR.W.S. (1989)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Adoption of Baby Girl C (1987)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityE.H. (1987)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·LR v. Dep't of Child. & Families, 822 So. 2d 527 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002).

Cited 6 times | Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 2002 Fla. App. LEXIS 10078, 2002 WL 1614058

...We further note, the ultimate determination concerning adoptive placements rests with the trial court, which shall only enter a decree of adoption upon finding a particular adoptive placement is in the "best interest" of the child to be adopted. See § 63.142(4), Fla....
...to the non-relatives. On remand, we direct the trial court to determine if adoption of the minor children B.T. and M.W. is in the children's best interests, and upon such a finding, and such finding only, the court may enter a judgment of adoption. § 63.142(4), Fla....
0 red0 yellow9 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityStarbuck (2018)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2013)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityBASDEO (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·Lofton v. Sec'y of the Dep't of Child. & Fam. Servs., 377 F.3d 1275 (11th Cir. 2004).

Cited 7 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Senate amendment is now codified as Fla. Stat. § 63.142(3)(b) (2003). . Tape recording of the Florida
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2018)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·Florida Dep't of Child. & Families v. Adoption of X.X.G., 45 So. 3d 79 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010).

Cited 3 times | Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 14014, 61 A.L.R. 6th 621

...information which may be relevant to the suitability of the intended adoptive home. Id. § 63.125(5). If the trial judge concludes that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, the Court enters the judgment of adoption. Id. § 63.142(4)....
...section 63.022(1): It is the intent of the legislature to protect and promote the well-being of persons being adopted and their natural and adoptive parents and to provide to all children who can benefit by it a permanent family life. At that time, section 63.142(4) guided the trial court: "At the conclusion of the hearing, when the court determines that all necessary consents have been obtained and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, a judgment of adoption sh...
0 red0 yellow5 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityBrenner (2014)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityD.M.T. (2013)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·In Re Adoption of RAB, 426 So. 2d 1203 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983).

Cited 3 times | Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 19031

...However, neither the child nor the appellant can successfully seek a decree of adoption posthumously. That is what appellant prayed for below and the trial judge correctly denied the relief sought although he failed to state with specificity the grounds for dismissal as required by Section 63.142(3)(b), Florida Statutes (1981)....
0 red0 yellow2 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityIn Re Estate of Wall (1987)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityKelley (1987)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·In re Adoption of K.A.G., 152 So. 3d 1271 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014).

Cited 3 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 20849, 2014 WL 7331269

...Since the trial court failed to find that Father’s consent either was or was not valid, dismissing the petition was error. Had the trial court determined Father’s consent was valid, it should have then determined, in the same proceeding, whether Child should be adopted by Grandmother. § 63.087(3), Fla. Stat. (2013). Section 63.142(4), Florida Statutes (2013), concerning the procedures for determining whether a child should be adopted following a termination of parental rights, provides, in pertinent part: (4) Judgment....
...and no appeal, pursuant to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, is pending and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, a judgment of adoption shall be entered. (Emphasis added). The trial court should have applied section 63.142(4) to consider Child’s best interests with respect to the adoption, without utilizing section 63.082(6), which was inapplicable to this proceeding....
0 red0 yellow2 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·Davis v. Dixon, 545 So. 2d 318 (Fla. 3d DCA 1989).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 1989 WL 47174

...[3] The grandparent's priority afforded by section 63.0425, Florida Statutes (1987), of course cannot be superior to a contrary finding in the best interests of the child. Section 63.0425(4) Florida Statutes (1987) provides: "(4) Nothing in this section shall contravene the provisions of s. 63.142(4)." Section 63.142(4) Florida Statutes (1987) states: "(4) At the conclusion of the hearing, when the court determines that all necessary consents have been obtained and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, a judgment of...
0 red0 yellow1 green1 procedural
Cited as authorityDillon (1992)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Review deniedDavis (1992)
phrase: "review denied"
Copy

·Lofton v. Sec. Dept. of Child. & Fam., 377 F.3d 1275 (11th Cir. 2004).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 2004 WL 1627022

...We wish you would go back into the closet.”36 On June 8, 1977, exactly one day after Dade County voters repealed the 33 Tape recording of the Florida Senate proceedings, May 31, 1977 (copy of original in the Florida State Archives). This Senate amendment is now codified as Fla. Stat. § 63.142(3)(b) (2003). 34 Tape recording of the Florida Senate Judiciary Civil Committee proceedings, May 3, 1977. 35 Tape recording of the Florida Senate proceedings, May 11, 1977 (copy of original in the Florida State Archives). 36 “Gay Bills Pass Both Chambers,” Florida Times Union, June 1, 1977....
0 red0 yellow6 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityCochran (2015)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityGlenn (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityAvera (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

Gs v. Tb, 969 So. 2d 1049 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 2007 WL 2608520

...terminating that parent's parental rights has passed and no appeal, pursuant to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, is pending and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, a judgment of adoption shall be entered. § 63.142(4), Fla....
Copy

SDT v. Bundle of Hope Ministries, Inc., 949 So. 2d 1132 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 2007 WL 597042

...[4] Despite the fact that no finding had been made that appellant was the child's father at the time of the entry of the termination of rights order, the trial court was not precluded from making a finding to such effect following the hearing on appellant's motions. Section 63.142(4), Florida Statutes (2005), provides that a judgment of termination on which the later judgment of adoption is based is voidable, not void, if it is found by the court in considering a motion for relief from judgment that the judgment did not comply with the requirements of chapter 63....
Copy

A.D. v. M.D.M., 920 So. 2d 857 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 2279, 2006 WL 401316

...The court granted both motions and ordered the clerk not to disclose any records to petitioner. The adoptive parents then filed this appeal. This case presents a Catch-22. M.D.M. claims that fraud was committed in the termination of his parental rights and seeks relief from judgment, allowed pursuant to section 63.142(4), Florida Statutes, which must be done within one year from judgment....
Copy

·G.S. v. T.B., 969 So. 2d 1049 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007).

Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 2007 Fla. App. LEXIS 14239

...erminating that parent’s parental rights has passed and no appeal, pursuant to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, is pending and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted, a judgment of adoption shall be entered. § 63.142(4), Fla....
0 red0 yellow2 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityGs (2008)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityG.S. (2008)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

·Dillon v. Robb, 597 So. 2d 891 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1992).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1992 Fla. App. LEXIS 4281, 1992 WL 75651

...r “close.” That was not the situation in this case. AFFIRMED. DAUKSCH, J., concurs and concurs specially with opinion. HARRIS, J., dissents with opinion. . See Davis v. Dixon, 545 So.2d 318 (Fla. 3d DCA), rev. denied, 551 So.2d 460 (Fla.1989). . § 63.142(4), Fla.Stat....
0 red0 yellow2 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityYh (2001)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityY.H. (2001)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Copy

In re C.T.D., 623 So. 2d 834 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1993).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 8966, 1993 WL 337479

been cured by the amendment of the petition. Section 63.142(3)(a) and (4), Florida Statutes, requires the
Copy

Bituminous Cas. Corp. v. B & B Chem. Co., 179 So. 2d 125 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1965).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1965 Fla. App. LEXIS 3729

Judgments, § 35; 26 C.J.S. Declaratory Judgments, § 63; 142 A.L.R. 69. Therefore, the declaratory decree here
Copy

Yancey v. Dep't of Health & Rehabilitative Servs., 413 So. 2d 438 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1982).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1982 Fla. App. LEXIS 20007

order of dismissal does not, as required by Section 63.-142, Florida Statutes (1979), “state with specificity
Copy

Mixon v. Mixon Curtis, 352 So. 2d 574 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1977).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1977 Fla. App. LEXIS 17104

basis of newly discovered evidence. She points to § 63.142, Florida Statutes (1975), the statute govern*575ing
Copy

H.L. ex rel. A.W. v. State, Dep't of Child. & Families, 718 So. 2d 236 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1998).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1998 Fla. App. LEXIS 10485, 1998 WL 519589

...the mother, and the natural father to “maintain the status quo until further order of this court.” A trial court in an adoption proceeding is required to determine the person who is to have custody of the child if the petition is dismissed. See § 63.142(3)(a), Fla....

This Florida statute resource is curated by the lawyer who curates this resource, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.