There are a number of benefits of adopting children through the Department of Children and Families foster care system. For example, adoption from foster care costs very little for the adopting families. Parents are required to attend adoptive parent training classes and are subject to a home study, but those are both provided free of charge. Additionally, court fees and costs may be paid by the Department of Children and Families if the family cannot afford them. In contrast, private adoptions may cost upwards of $30,000.

Second, children adopted through foster care are eligible for free tuition at any of Florida’s state universities, community colleges, or vocational schools. This benefit continues until the child is 28 years old. This is an important benefit to anyone who is considering adopting an older child. Children adopted through private adoption are not granted this benefit.

Third, families that adopt through foster are eligible to receive a monthly subsidy to help offset ongoing costs of raising the child until he or she is 18 years old. The amount is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on the unique needs of the individual child. In addition, all of the children who receive a monthly subsidy are eligible to receive Medicaid until they are 18 years old. If either of the parents who are adopting the child is a state employee, the family is also eligible to receive a one-time lump sum payment of $10,000 for a special needs child and $5,000 for a non-special needs child. 

Lastly, all families who adopt children, either privately or through foster care, are eligible for the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. The Federal Adoption Tax Credit helps offset the high costs of adoption and allows more families to afford adoption. The credit applies to all types of adoption (except for step-parent adoptions). Families who adopt children with special needs (i.e., adopted through foster care) can claim the maximum credit regardless of whether they have qualified adoption expenses. The adoption tax credit is not a refundable credit, which means taxpayers can only get the credit if they have federal income tax liability. 

Adoption provides a special opportunity to change the life of a child and enrich the life of the family who is lucky enough to welcome the child into their home. For more information regarding adoption through foster care, visit floridafapa.org and adoptflorida.org. If you are considering adoption, an experienced family law attorney can assist you in the process. 

Sarah Oquendo is a marital and family law attorney with Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA. Visit CHTlegal.com or call 239-298-5200.

Read more:

An Adoption Story: The Alexander Family

Adopting Through Foster Care: The Gregware Family

Different Paths to Parenthood for Two SWFL Families

Adopting Through Foster Care: The Joel Family

Joy Comes in the Morning: A Spiritual Adoption Story

The post Adopting Through Foster Care appeared first on SWFL Family.

The law defines a “relocation” as a move of 50 miles or more by one of the parents, starting from the place where the parent lived when the last parenting plan was entered by the court. 

The process starts with one party either requesting the other parent’s permission to relocate with the minor child or by the filing of a petition for relocation. If the parties agree to the relocation, they must prepare and execute a written agreement that includes the following: (1) the consent to relocation, (2) a time-sharing schedule for the non-relocating parent, and (3) the necessary transportation arrangements related to the time-sharing schedule. That written agreement would then be submitted to the court and a final judgment would be entered adopting the relocation agreement.

However, as so often occurs, if the parties cannot agree to the relocation, then a petition would be filed. There are certain procedural requirements that are essential in a Petition for Relocation. These requirements are strictly enforced, so you may find it helpful to seek assistance from a licensed and experienced family law attorney who can navigate this process for you. Once the matter is submitted to the judge, the judge will of factors, including the following:

• nature, quality, and extent of involvement between the children and the non-relocating parent;

• child’s age and developmental stage;

• feasibility of preserving the relationship between the non-relocating parent and the child through substitute arrangements, taking into account the distance, logistics, and financial resources of the parties;

• child’s preference (if appropriate);

• whether the relocation will enhance the general quality of life for both the parent or other person seeking the relocation and the child;

• reasons each parent or other person is seeking or opposing the relocation;

• current employment and economic circumstances of each parent or other person and whether the proposed relocation is necessary to improve the economic circumstances of the parent or other person seeking relocation of the child;

• the relocation is sought in good faith;

• career and other opportunities available to the objecting parent in the proposed relocation location;

• history of substance abuse or domestic violence by either parent; and

• any other factor affecting the best interest of the child.

The judge will have to weigh all of these factors and determine what is best for the children and a long-distance parenting plan will be entered. The long-distance parenting plan will describe in detail what the time-sharing schedule is, how the children will be transported, and how the transportation costs will be divided. Transportation costs are child rearing costs and like other child rearing costs, they typically are shared equally or proportionate to the parent’s child support percentages. If the petition is denied, then the parent will not be able to relocate with the children. The denial does not, however, prevent the parent from moving, just not with the children.

Many family law attorneys will advise their clients that where the parties are sharing time with the children and both parents are actively involved in the children’s everyday lives, it is very difficult to convince a judge that it is in the children’s best interests to relocate. An experienced family law attorney can assist in navigating this very difficult and emotional process.

SARAH OQUENDO is a marital and family law attorney with Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA. Visit CHTlegal.com or call 239-298-5200.

The post Relocation After Divorce appeared first on SWFL Family.