Adopting Your Foster Child
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption by Foster Parents | As major players in the attempt to find permanent homes, more and more foster parents are interested in adoption. Read more |
| Financial Benefits for Adoptive Parents: Federal Tax Credits and Adoption Subsidies | Numerous financial benefits exist for adoptive parents. The following will familiarize you with some terms and tell you how to find help in this complicated subject. Read more |
| Cooperative Adoption | One special and important possibility where agreement between the parties can override disputes and delays is a cooperative adoption. Read more |
| Contested Adoptions and the Role of Bonding | Disputed adoptions may be decided on the issue of bonding vs. biological kinship. Read more |
Visitor-submitted questions
| Question | ACT's Response |
|---|---|
| If a family receives the adoption tax credit does it get added to their taxable income for the year that they received the credit? |
No. Josh Kroll of the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) informed me that the IRS told him the tax credit was non-reportable income and would not be taxed. He added, however, that some states might see the money as a reason to cut back on food stamps and other related programs. He said this would not be a problem if the money were spent for the child's subsistence within a reasonable time. Read more |
| If a person adopts a child WITHOUT special needs can that person still receive an adoption tax credit? I was told that a person can receive up to $8000 for just adopting a child. |
Yes, there is a tax credit for adoption regardless of special need. Since the amount varies depending on the circumstances and the year, you need to research the issue or consult a tax professional about your own situation. Read more |
| Even though we have had our foster children for nearly four years and want to adopt, the child welfare department wants to take and place them in another home with older birth siblings. |
Bonding is a significant reciprocal attachment which both parties want and expect to continue, and which is interrupted or terminated at considerable peril to the parties involved. Bonding is likely after three months of 24/7 contact, probable after six, and almost certain after 12 months. Interrupted bonding is significantly correlated with an increase in childhood and adult mental illness, adult crime and violence, homelessness, and poverty. Bonding, when it occurs, should take precedence over blood kinship if the best interests of the child are to be served. I recommend that you obtain a copy of our book, "Bonding and the Case for Permanence," and arrange for a Bonding Evaluation. Good luck! Read more |
| We loved your book on Bonding, found it very helpful. |
We appreciate your kind words and are glad our book was of use. Read more |
| I have a foster child who has been in care for almost a year and things are progressing towards adoption. Termination of parental rights is in the works and we want to make sure that things continue to go smoothly. Can you recommend a lawyer we can discuss our situation with and make sure that things are going according to the law. We and other foster families in our area have had some serious issues with our DCS not following their own guidelines. |
You want someone who is knowledgeable and experienced with adoptions from foster care. These adoptions are much more complicated than standard ones, involving a variety of laws and policies and the availability of subsidies. Ask your fellow foster parents or your state foster parent organization for a recommendation. Be wary of an attorney suggested by the child welfare department as they may have different goals. If you don't have a personal connection with other foster/adopt parents, use the internet to find families from your state who feel they were well represented by their attorney. Good luck! Read more |
