Florida Adoption and Surrogacy Attorneys

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Firm Announcements and Adoption Law Updates

Podcast EP 6: Living an Empowered Life: Counseling For Birth Moms, Adoptive Parents and Adoptees

Navigating 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.

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Brittney Bagiardi
Subsidy Series Part 2: Social Security Survivor’s Benefits & Adoption Subsidy

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.

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Brittney Bagiardi
Moore to Love: An Adoption Podcast

The 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.

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Brittney Bagiardi
Podcast EP 4- Searching for Chapter 1: An Adoptee's Story

Adopted 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.

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Brittney Bagiardi
Podcast EP 3- A Birth Mother's Selfless Love: Brandee's Story

When 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.

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Brittney Bagiardi
Why do I have to wait 30 days after the termination proceeding to finalize my adoption?

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.

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Brittney Bagiardi
What You Need to Know about the Child Tax Credit.

Starting 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.

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Brittney Bagiardi