News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The General Assembly will consider passing a Private Act that would add Putnam County adoptions to the General Sessions Court jurisdiction.
Currently, adoptions are filed in the Circuit and Chancellor Court. County Attorney Jeff Jones said the goal is to alleviate the work load on those courts while also providing more options.
“Our circuit judges and our chancellor hold court in seven different counties,” Jones said. “The 13th Judicial District is the largest geographic district in the state of Tennessee. Our state court judges have a lot on their plate. This would be one thing that can be taken off if people chose to file in General Sessions Court.”
Jones said the need was expressed by judges of all three courts to expand adoption jurisdiction. The Putnam County Commission unanimously passed a resolution last week to send to state law makers.
Jones said including adoptions in the General Sessions Court is not uncommon. Jones said over the years, several other counties across the state have successful requested the same private law.
State law requires adoptions to be held in circuit and chancellor court. Jones said the county has two circuit court judges and one chancellor judge.
