Grow Your Family through Foster Care Adoption
Do I Need an Attorney to Adopt?
Foster Care Adoption Offers Benefits and Ongoing Support for Families including:
- The cost of adoption through the foster care system is significantly less than a private agency.
- Foster care children qualify to receive state-funded Medicaid health insurance until 18 or longer if they have special needs.
- Florida’s Adoption Assistance Program can offset the expense of caring for an adopted child. Florida provides a monthly subsidy to adoptive parents depending on the child’s needs and the adoptive parents’ circumstances.
- The state may offer respite care for a child in times of family emergencies.
- Florida provides college tuition for children adopted from foster care at state and some private educational institutions, up to 28 years of age.
- A foster care adoptive family may be eligible for a Federal Adoption Tax Credit.
- Florida state employees can receive a one-time sum benefit when adopting through Florida’s child welfare system.
Florida Adoption Process
Florida requires those interested in adopting a child to have a home study and inspection. It is an assessment of the prospective family to evaluate the health, financial status, and background to ensure their eligibility. Background checks are done to check for any history of criminal convictions, child abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. A counselor meets with the prospective adoptive parents to assess their motivations for adoption and their emotional stability. These prospective parents must attend the Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting, a training course offered by Florida, and the Parents’ Resources for Information Development Education preparation class. At the final adoption hearing, the judge awards the adoptive parents’ parental rights of a child.
Contact Family Law Attorneys that Care
Choosing to adopt is an exciting step in a family’s journey, but many challenges and overwhelming emotions can arise. If you plan to adopt or have already started the process, contact the Downer Law for a thorough review of your options. Our knowledgeable and dedicated attorneys can assist you through the process.