Adoption law in Florida? Any comments greatly appreciated.?

Question

I live in Florida and a couple is willing to legally transfer/adopt their infant son to us. We want to do this frugally. We're both willing, and we have a good home and we were previously successful foster-parents, so we're a perfect recipient for a new baby.

Can we just get forms from the bank and mail them to the judge? I am clueless to the legal system.

Answer 1

You might be able to do that legally, however, you'll be greatly benefitted if you go through an attorney.  An attorney will make sure that everything is done and done right so nothing can come back to bite you in the bum later.

Any expense you incur for the adoption, you can take a federal tax credit for adoption expense (check out http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html for more info).  Your state may also have a tax credit available.  Contact your state's department of revenue to ask about that.  You could ask the HR department of your or dh's company to see if they have adoption benefits or go to http://www.davethomasfoundationforadopti... to see if the employer would be open to beginning to offer this benefit.  You can also apply for grants and adoption loans (do  a Google search for them) to help cover any legal fees.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

You need an adoption attorney

Answer 3

Adoption is a legal process that needs to go through proper channels.  You will still need to have a home study done, and criminal back ground checks, etc.  We had a similar situation with our son.  You can contact an attorney who specializes in adoption or family law.  They can usually assist you with what needs to be done.  In our situation, because we were adopting a child with a medical condition and he was in another state, the attorney recommended that we have an adoption agency process an "identified" adoption for us - which cost a bit more money that we expected, but it was worth it for us because of problems we encountered with NJ State.  

Good luck to you, and if you have any questions about our adoption process, feel free to email me thru my profile.

Answer 4

You need to get a lawyer and have them handle it so that everything is done right.  It should be pretty easy if they are willing to son there son over to you.  Good Luck

Answer 5

I would suggest contacting Lori Fraas, with adoption support services of Florida. www.adoptionsupportservices.com. My husband and I went thru an open adoption last year in Florida. She was our social worker thru the entire thing. You must have a home study done to adopt anywhere in the US. She will be able to answer any questions you have about Florida Adoption. She helped us out tremendously. My email address is [e-mail]. You can email me directly and I will be glad to help you too! It was an amazing experience. Good Luck!

Answer 6

You first need to find an adoption agency who will set you up with an attorney. They will check your finances, interview you and your family, and conduct a home visit. Once you pass those things, they will create a contract for you.

You cannot get the forms from the bank.They have to be from an adoption attorney.

Answer 7

I gave up my child for adoption in Florida recently, and am very close to the parents I gave my child to.  There is no getting around doing a home study.  They take anywhere from 6 months to a year to complete.  Have you already completed a home study?  You need to hire an attorney, it will be well worth it in the long run.  Attorneys are very expensive, but you need to have one.  If you don't, then the birthmother can come back later on and try to take the child back.  I hope this helps!