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Home » Adoption Articles » Adopting25 States to Receive Adoption BonusesWASHINGTON - Twenty-five states and Puerto Rico will receive $14.9 million in bonuses for boosting the number of adoptions from foster care last year, the government announced Friday. Legal Issues of Independent Adoption National Adoption Information Clearinghouse publishes this as a service to the adoption community, but it can never serve as a replacement for legal advice from a licensed attorney practicing in the field of adoption in the State(s) where both the potential adoptive parent(s) and the child(ren) to be adopted reside. We also cannot guarantee accuracy; changes in State law may have occurred since the research was conducted. Adoption Myths Learn the truth about common adoption myths, including wait time, cost and how many babies are adopted each year. Interstate Inheritance Rights What You Need to Know Leaving a will is the best way to ensure heirs or descendants may inherit from your estate. Issues of property distribution may arise when a birth parent or adoptive parent dies without making a valid will or without naming an heir to particular property (referred to as "intestacy"). In these cases, State law determines who may inherit from whom. All 50 States and the Territories of the United States specify an adopted child's rights of inheritance from and through the adoptive and biological parents. Consent to Adoption Information on how, what and when a consent is taken in an adoption proceeding and for what reasons a birth parent may revoke their consent. Adoption and the Stages of Development Learn how to explain adoption to your adopted child and how to address your child's questions and concerns about their adoption as they grow up. Placement of Children with Relatives What You Need to Know In order for States to receive Federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance, Federal law requires that they "consider giving preference to an adult relative over a non-related caregiver when determining placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant State child protection standards."1 (Placement refers to the placing of a child in the home of an individual other than a parent or guardian or in a facility other than a youth services center.) Approximately2 14 States use the word "preference" in their statutes. Approximately six States, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands make no reference to placement with relatives pending permanent placement of a child removed from his or her parents' home. The remaining States use statutory language such as "may consider" or "give priority to" placement with relatives. Adoption Loans While it's far from ideal to borrow money for an adoption, adoptive families may find a loan necessary to cover the large and immediate expenses. In some cases, you may be able to pay the loan back quickly once you receive a tax credit or are reimbursed by your employer or the military. Possible loan sources include: Federal Family and Medical Leave Act Unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is available for adoptive families. This act allows individuals to take up to 12 weeks off, unpaid but with benefits, without jeopardizing employment. The leave is not exclusively an adoption benefit since it is available for anyone who works for a company with 50 or more employees. However, it can provide valuable time for a newly adoptive family. Some states require employers to offer their workers a minimum amount of parental leave time. The Rights of Presumed Putative Fathers In the decades since 1960, out-of-wedlock births have increased dramatically. While much research on childbearing trends and the characteristics of unwed mothers exists, very little is known about putative fathers, the alleged or reputed fathers of children born out-of-wedlock. However, there is an expanding population of putative fathers who wish to play a role in their children's upbringing. Consequently, their legal rights have become increasingly important. Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits Introduction A growing number of employers offer benefits to adoptive parents. In 1990, a survey by Hewitt Associates found that only 12 percent of employers surveyed offered some kind of adoption benefits; by 1995, the proportion had climbed to 23 percent. In the 2004 Hewitt survey of 936 major U.S. employers, the percentage grew to 39 percent, with an average maximum reimbursement of $3,879 for adoption expenses.¹ Employers that offer adoption benefits cite various advantages for their companies, including maintenance of productivity, retention of good employees, a positive public image, and equity in benefits for all employees. More Firms Offering Adoption Help to Employees Janice Belbeck dug deep into her pocket to adopt a baby from a South Florida mother. Very deep. |
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