November is Florida Adoption Month, and November 17 is National Adoption Day. This month received that designation in our state two years ago, with the goal of educating Floridians about the process of adoption and highlighting the number of amazing children available for adoption throughout the state of Florida. In 2017 alone, 3,692 children in Florida found their forever families. Similarly, Nation Adoption Day is a collective, national effort to raise awareness of more than 117,000 children in foster care waiting for their permanent families.
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