09

Mar

Statewide Protocols, Stronger Outcomes: Erica T. Healey’s Role in Improving Chapter 39 Adoption Finalizations

At Tate Healey Webster, we’ve always believed that the legal system can—and should—work better for children. That’s why we’re proud to share the recent work of our own board-certified adoption attorney Erica T. Healey, who played a lead role in a major statewide project to stream...

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09

Mar

What to Do After Your Adoption Is Finalized

Finalization Day – Happy Adoption Day – Congratulations You Are A Parent Day! Adoption finalization is a deeply emotional and long-awaited moment for many families. It is the legal confirmation that your child is, officially and forever, part of your family, as if born to you. Bu...

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09

Mar

Adoption Disruptions and Second Adoptions

As difficult as it is to think about, sometimes adoption simply does not work out as intended. What happens if an adoptive family determines their family is not able to adequately care for a child placed in their home? Or, what happens when a child’s adoptive parent(s) pass away ...

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09

Mar

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...

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09

Mar

Facing a Contested Adoption: What You Need to Know and How Tate Healey Webster Can Help

The journey towards adoption is filled with hope, anticipation, and sometimes a few bumps. Perhaps the most stressful situation, though, is when hopeful adoptive parents receive news a birth parent may contest the adoption. This situation occurs most often when the birth mother c...

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09

Mar

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...

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09

Mar

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...

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09

Mar

Social Security Benefits for Children in Foster Care

Many children in foster care qualify for social security benefits; however, what happens to the benefits received by the Title IV-E agency (foster care agency) as payee can vary state-to-state. Over the past couple of years, there have been numerous articles about states that col...

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09

Mar

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 ...

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09

Mar

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 ...

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09

Mar

Adoption Subsidies for “Special Needs” and “Difficult to Place” Children in PRIVATE Adoptive Placements

Adoption is beautiful and emotional and, in some cases, arises from heart-breaking situations. We are often contacted when a custodial birth mother passes away, the father is not involved/has no interest in the child, and a relative/family friend agrees to adopt the child but is...

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09

Mar

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 adv...

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