Building a Secure Future for Your Family: How Confirmatory Adoptions Protect Your Family in Florida

The general consensus of the LGBTQ+ legal authorities is that same-sex couples affirm their rights through a confirmatory adoption of their own child(ren), even if it seems counterintuitive. Here’s why: Marital Presumption and the Importance of Legal Protection In a perfect world, when a child is born into a legal…

Florida Foster Care Adoption Benefits Expanded

Thank you to Governor DeSantis for signing House Bill 1083 into law which expands adoption benefits payable to public employees who adopt a foster care child.  Here are the pivotal changes to Florida Statutes 409.1664 which goes into effect July 1, 2024: * A $25,000 per child lump sum payment…

Changes to Florida’s Private Adoption Laws, Taking Effect July 1, 2024

Tate Healey Webster is proud to represent adoption agencies across the state. We keep our finger on the pulse of evolving adoption and ART laws and issues, and always provide our firm clients with important updates and practical advice on how it affects their practice. Below is a brief summary…

Florida’s Surrendered Infant Law Gets a Big Heart: How HB 775 Benefits Mothers, Children, and Prospective Adoptive Families

Exciting news for Florida families! House Bill 775, taking effect July 1, 2024, brings significant changes to our state’s law regarding surrendered infants. At Tate Healey Webster, we applaud these advancements that prioritize the well-being of birth parents and children and are proud that lawmakers consulted with one of our attorneys, Jeanne T. Tate, in…

A Change in International Adoption:

Insights & Guidance At Tate Healey Webster, we are not just witnesses to the evolution of international adoption—we’re dedicated participants in the journey that brings families together. With international adoptions becoming more infrequent, the importance of each family’s story grows. In 2022, we saw 1,517 such stories unfold, and although…

Birth Parents: Become Informed Before Making an Adoption Plan

Making an adoption plan is a brave and courageous decision.  If you are exploring adoption as an option or have made a decision to place your child for adoption you should make sure to become informed about your rights.  An adoption attorney can provide you not only an overview of…

Intestate Compact Involving the Placement of Children Across State Lines

Except in close relative placements, if you are adopting a child from another state, you must receive approval from the Interstate Compact Office in your state of residence and the child’s state of residence (or place of birth) before traveling home with the child. Failure to do so can result…

California bans Adoption Facilitators

California has outlawed the use of unlicensed facilitators to broker adoptions or match prospective parents with pregnant mothers. Advocates of the new law allege many facilitators operate with little oversight, charge exorbitant rates to potential adoptive parents, and take advantage of poor and struggling pregnant women. Opponents of the law…

Adoptive Parents Needed for Foster Care Children

More than 113,000 children in foster care are waiting for a safe, permanent adoptive home right now. Foster care adoption is inexpensive and financial support is available for families, including federal and state tax credits. Many employers also provide adoption benefits, and subsidies are available for most children in foster…