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 collect social security checks for children…

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…

Finding Hope: The Sister I Never Knew I Always Needed

When Bridgette’s mother revealed she had a sister that was placed for adoption, she knew she had to find her sister for her mom’s sake. Through a series of DNA tests and a lot of perseverance, Bridgette connected with her sister, Cynthia.Meeting each other as adults came with many sweet…
Pregnant woman packing for hospital and taking notes

Hospital Packing List for Adoptive Parents

Hospital Packing List for Adoptive Parents So, you are adopting an infant, and you get that much-awaited call telling you that your baby is on the way! Whether you have expected the call for months because of a lengthy match period or whether the call was completely unexpected and out…

Federal Adoption Tax Credit Increases To $15,950

Federal Adoption Tax Credit Increases To $15,950 The IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2022-38 on October 18, 2022, and the details of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit for adoptions finalized in 2023 are as follows: For adoptions finalized in 2023 the maximum credit will be $15,950 and the maximum credit will…

Is It Too Late To Adopt? The Adoptee Is An Adult.

IS IT TOO LATE TO ADOPT? THE ADOPTEE IS AN ADULT. Often times, we are contacted by individuals who are concerned their ability to adopt has expired by virtue of the proposed adoptee having reached the age of majority. We love to bring joy and hope when we explain that…

Getting Those Grants: How One Mom’s Tenacity Really Paid Off

Rachel and her husband were just like many other couples looking to adopt. After spending thousands of dollars on fertility treatments, their entire savings account was nearly dried up. The couple decided to fund their first adoption through loans, but Rachel knew there had to be a better way. So…

Pregnant or Parenting: 5 Questions You MUST Ask an Adoption Lawyer

Are you pregnant and considering adoption? Are you an adoptive parent looking to start an adoption journey?  If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you will need an adoption lawyer. Why Do I Need to Consult an Adoption Attorney? Although many adoptions go through seamlessly, others hit a…