8-115. Hearing; procedure; record;
evidence


A. The court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to this article in
as informal a manner as the requirements of due process and fairness permit. The
prospective adoptive parent, the spouse of a prospective adoptive parent and the child to
be adopted shall attend unless the court orders otherwise. The court shall only allow
persons who have a direct interest in the case to attend the hearing. A person who
attends a hearing shall not disclose any information about the hearing. The court may
require the presence of such other witnesses as it deems necessary.


B. The court shall make its findings based on a preponderance of the evidence. The
court may consider any and all reports required by this article or ordered by the court
pursuant to this article.