(a) Appeals from any final decree of adoption shall be taken to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and filed within 14 days from the final decree.

(b) An appeal from any final order or decree rendered under this chapter shall have priority in all courts and shall have precedence over all other matters, except for other matters which have been given priority by specific statutory provision or rule of court. The trial court may enter further orders concerning the custody of the adoptee pending appeal.

(c) If an order, judgment, or decree rendered under this chapter is appealed, the party who files the appeal shall cause notice of the appeal to be transmitted to all persons entitled to receive notice pursuant to Section 26-10A-17, except for persons for whom consent or relinquishment has been implied under Section 26-10A-9 or whose consent or relinquishment is not required under Section 26-10A-10. Such notice of appeal shall set forth the pendency of the appeal and the right of interested parties to be heard. The notice shall not identify by name the party filing such appeal, unless the appellant is unrepresented, but shall specify the identity of the court in which the appeal is pending, the docket number of the petition, the general nature of the appeal, and the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney who has filed the petition. The caption of an appeal shall show only the initials of the adoptee's birthname. Only the initials of the natural parents and the petitioner shall be indicated in all pleadings and briefs.