Adoption Legal Answers

Is there financial help if I adopt my special needs foster child?

I would like to adopt my foster child but I’m worried about the medical expenses. He is special needs and requires a lot of physical therapy and counseling. Right now, the state gives me a stipend through the Miami foster care program. The social worker on my case mentioned that Florida offers some post-adoption money for special needs kids, but she says that has to be negotiated and she can’t give me legal advice. Can a lawyer help me get some regular payments after an adoption so I can pay my son’s counseling and medical bills?

Miami, FL

Mar 15, 2021

What expenses can my wife and I pay the birth mom in an adoption?

A lifelong friend of ours has a teenage daughter who is pregnant. She is willing to let us adopt her baby but says she needs us to pay her expenses during the pregnancy, as well as all the expenses relating to her labor and delivery. We are fine with paying her medical expenses, but we aren’t sure if it’s legal for us to pay for the groceries, car insurance, etc. that she’s asking us to pay. She lives with her boyfriend and we suspect she’ll use some of any money we give her to support him. What are we allowed to pay for and do we need to put any agreement we make with her about expenses and payment in writing?

Baltimore, MD

Mar 15, 2021

Can I do a private adoption in New York without going to court?

I’m pregnant and I do not plan on keeping the baby. A woman my mom works with and her husband are interested in adopting and we’d like to handle the adoption privately and without involving the court. I researched NY adoptions online and it seems that no matter what type of adoption you do, you have to go to court at some point. Is there a way around this and can the couple and I just do this on our own? If we do need a lawyer to draft the adoption paperwork, the couple is willing to pay the legal fees for everything.

New York, NY

Mar 15, 2021

Can I adopt my stepbrother and get some financial assistance?

My stepbrother came to live with me full-time after his dad was found guilty of abusing him. Our mom took the dad’s side and my stepbrother didn’t want to be around either one of them anymore. He’s 14 and I’m 23. My boyfriend and I are doing the best we can to take care of him and support him financially but it’s hard and we could use some help. Is there any way I could formally adopt my stepbrother and get some financial support for him from the state? Or could I take legal guardianship of him and seek child support from my mother and stepdad?

Memphis, TN

Mar 15, 2021

How do I adopt a child in Houston if I have a criminal record?

My wife and I want to adopt and we’ve been working with the Department of Family and Protective Services here in Houston. They sent us for foster parent and adoption training with a child placing agency. The agency conducts background checks before adoptions and they did one on me and my wife. I got a DUI about 3 years ago and the social worker handling the criminal background check says I have to wait at least 5 years after my DUI conviction before I can adopt a child through DFPS. I’m wondering whether this is actually true and if it is, whether my wife can adopt on her own if we stay married and living together. Can a lawyer get me through the adoption process even though I have a conviction on my record or help my wife adopt without me?

Dallas, TX

Mar 15, 2021

Can I adopt my stepson if he’s an adult?

My step-son and I have been close since he was in middle school and we talked about me adopting him several times. But, even though he never had much of a relationship with his biological mom, he didn’t want to upset her by terminating their relationship. She passed away last year, and he’s approached me again about an adoption. Even though he’s in college and an adult now, he says he’s always considered me to be his real mom. I’ve also heard that if he’s my legal son, I can leave things to him in my will and avoid certain estate taxes. Can someone adopt another adult and does it matter that his biological parents are not around to consent?

Houston, TX

Mar 15, 2021

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