Ashley was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve. Her truths of survival and heartache in the system and her motivation and drive to help children thrive are truly inspirational.
Read MoreIf a child was determined eligible for Title IV-E adoption assistance payments with respect to a prior adoption that disrupts, the child shall be treated as meeting the requirements (i.e., assuming the child’s needs still exist, the subsidy shall follow the child to the second adoption).
Read MoreNavigating the vast array of emotions during the adoption journey is difficult, whether you're an expecting mother looking to place, or a potential adoptive parent hoping for that special child.
Our featured guest host this month is Katherine Roth, LCSW, MSW, IMH-E®, Founder and Counselor at Empowered Life, LLC. Katherine specializes in adoption counseling and gives us the scoop on why this service is a vital tool for the entire adoption triad.
First, Social Security Survivor’s Benefits may be available, if your sister met the qualifications. Second, an adoption subsidy may be available for your nephew. There is a myth that adoption subsidy is only available in public agency adoptions (i.e., adoptions from foster care); however, this is not true. In fact, adoption subsidy is available in many private adoptions. The child may qualify for Title IV-E adoption assistance, which is a federal subsidy program, or for state subsidy.
Read MoreBoard Certified Florida Adoption Attorney, Robert Webster, spoke at the 2021 Virtual Florida Adoption Council (FAC) conference on October 7th, 2021.
Read MoreRead MoreMy 2-year-old granddaughter’s mother passed away this year. My granddaughter has no medical diagnoses or special needs. I would like to adopt my granddaughter. Is there any chance there are any resources available to help me?
Navigating the cost of adoption can seem overwhelming, but there are several different ways for families to balance the scales.
In this episode, Founder and President of HelpUsAdopt.org, Becky Fawcett, speaks to us about the hurdles she overcame when adopting, and why she decided to fund Help Us Adopt, a program that gives grants to families hoping to adopt.
Board Certified Adoption Attorney Erica Healey has done it again! For the fourth year in a row, she has earned the Client’s Choice recognition from Avvo. This badge is earned from her influx of 5-star reviews from Clients rating her on her services in Adoption Law throughout the year.
Read MoreIf you are planning to have a home study completed to begin the adoption process, you may be wondering how long the home study is valid. Pursuant to Florida Statute 63.092(3), a “favorable preliminary home study is valid for 1 year after the date of its completion.”
Read MoreThe journey to adoption can be filled with twists and turns, legal terms, hard-to-understand concepts, and overwhelming emotions. Don't go it alone! Board Certified Adoption Attorney and Podcast Host Nicole Moore will help you navigate your journey to adoption with guest hosts who have been there, done that, and will provide hope and inspiration along the way.
Read MoreThe United States is a party to The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. We receive questions routinely from families that reside overseas asking if they can adopt domestically from the United States.
Read MoreIn Florida, it is unlawful for any person other than an Adoption Entity to place or attempt to place a child for adoption. There is an exception if the child is being placed with a close relative or with a stepparent.
Read MoreBest Lawyers released their 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® list! Florida Board Certified Adoption Attorney Jeanne Tate tops the charts again for her dedication to her clients in adoption law.
Read MoreAdopted as an infant, Cara had a wonderful upbringing with two amazing parents who adored her. As she grew into a successful young adult, she began reflecting on the story of her life and began to wonder about how it all began. Supportive in her search for her biological parents, her adoptive parents gave her the information she needed to start the journey of finding her truth.
Read MoreWhy recognize the adoption in the United States? The legal proceeding for recognition of the foreign adoption under Florida law culminates in the entry of a Final Judgment by a Florida Circuit Court recognizing the finality and permanence of the adoption, thereby securing the recognition of a legal parent/child relationship under the law in the United States.
Read MoreOn July 23, 2021, the Supreme Court of Florida certified Board Certified Adoption Attorney Nicole Moore as a Family Mediator.
Read MoreWhen Brandee faced an unexpected pregnancy, she never gave up faith. Facing a hard decision, she knew that adoption was the right answer for her baby's future.
An advocate for birth mothers everywhere, Brandee shares all that she has learned on her incredible adoption journey and the bond she shares with the couple who adopted her baby boy.
Florida Statutes §63.122 provides that for cases that are not categorized as stepparent, relative or adult the "hearing on the petition to adopt a minor may not be held sooner than 30 days after the date the judgment terminating parental rights was entered . . . " The 30-day timeframe allows for any appeal to be filed by the biological parents, and the hearing can be set only if no appeal is filed.
Read MoreStarting Thursday, July 15, the IRS will begin issuing advanced payments of the child tax credit to families who make $150,000 or less each year or single parents who earn $75,000 or less each year. The standard child tax credit is usually $2,000; this year it’s up to $3,600 for children 5 and under and $3,000 for children age 6 to 17.
Read MoreBoard Certified Adoption Attorney Erica Healey was selected as a Rising Star for 2021. Super Lawyers awards this honor each year to only 2.5 percent of attorneys, and Erica is named a Rising Star for the seventh year in a row.
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