*Official Adoption Thread* (1 Viewer)

[Giant Wooden Badger]

Our adoption agency just sent us some info and apparently buried in the newly passed healthcare bill is an increase in the adoption tax credit by $1,000 up to $13,100. Also, it will no longer just be a credit that you can/have to roll over. You actually will get it back as a REFUND in 2011 on any remaining amount. So even if your tax liability is reduced to zero, you'll get the remaining amount sent to you as a refund. As a conservative I'm outraged. As an adoptive parent who has spent a ton of money, I won't refuse it.

Woah, that's good for me.

 

[Follows Closely]

Our adoption agency just sent us some info and apparently buried in the newly passed healthcare bill is an increase in the adoption tax credit by $1,000 up to $13,100. Also, it will no longer just be a credit that you can/have to roll over. You actually will get it back as a REFUND in 2011 on any remaining amount. So even if your tax liability is reduced to zero, you'll get the remaining amount sent to you as a refund. As a conservative I'm outraged. As an adoptive parent who has spent a ton of money, I won't refuse it.

Yeah, I saw that. Want to hear something that will enrage you even more as a conservative? Since we are adopting a child who is considered "special needs" (came out of foster system and has some medical issues), it is costing us nothing for the adoption, but we will still get the $13K as a refund next spring.

...and most state continue to pay monthly after you adopt. All tax free.

 

[CrossEyed]

Our adoption agency just sent us some info and apparently buried in the newly passed healthcare bill is an increase in the adoption tax credit by $1,000 up to $13,100. Also, it will no longer just be a credit that you can/have to roll over. You actually will get it back as a REFUND in 2011 on any remaining amount. So even if your tax liability is reduced to zero, you'll get the remaining amount sent to you as a refund. As a conservative I'm outraged. As an adoptive parent who has spent a ton of money, I won't refuse it.

Yeah, I saw that. Want to hear something that will enrage you even more as a conservative? Since we are adopting a child who is considered "special needs" (came out of foster system and has some medical issues), it is costing us nothing for the adoption, but we will still get the $13K as a refund next spring.

...and most state continue to pay monthly after you adopt. All tax free.

Yep, not to mention a medical card.

 

[CrossEyed]

Hmmm, do you get 13K for each kid you adopt? I think I have a plan.

Good luck coming out ahead on that one! I'm still coming out WAY in the red on this one.

How much is it to adopt a child? Or are you referencing the long term costs of caring for a kid?

It's FREE if you do it right.

 

[Worm]

Our adoption agency just sent us some info and apparently buried in the newly passed healthcare bill is an increase in the adoption tax credit by $1,000 up to $13,100. Also, it will no longer just be a credit that you can/have to roll over. You actually will get it back as a REFUND in 2011 on any remaining amount. So even if your tax liability is reduced to zero, you'll get the remaining amount sent to you as a refund.

As a conservative I'm outraged. As an adoptive parent who has spent a ton of money, I won't refuse it.

Yeah, I saw that. Want to hear something that will enrage you even more as a conservative? Since we are adopting a child who is considered "special needs" (came out of foster system and has some medical issues), it is costing us nothing for the adoption, but we will still get the $13K as a refund next spring.

...and most state continue to pay monthly after you adopt. All tax free.

Yep, not to mention a medical card.

Both depend heavily on the situation.

 

[Follows Closely]

...

Both depend heavily on the situation.

Correct Worm. If you adopt out of the foster system this is almost always the case.

 

[CrossEyed]

Our adoption agency just sent us some info and apparently buried in the newly passed healthcare bill is an increase in the adoption tax credit by $1,000 up to $13,100. Also, it will no longer just be a credit that you can/have to roll over. You actually will get it back as a REFUND in 2011 on any remaining amount. So even if your tax liability is reduced to zero, you'll get the remaining amount sent to you as a refund.

As a conservative I'm outraged. As an adoptive parent who has spent a ton of money, I won't refuse it.

Yeah, I saw that. Want to hear something that will enrage you even more as a conservative? Since we are adopting a child who is considered "special needs" (came out of foster system and has some medical issues), it is costing us nothing for the adoption, but we will still get the $13K as a refund next spring.

...and most state continue to pay monthly after you adopt. All tax free.

Yep, not to mention a medical card.

Both depend heavily on the situation.

I can only speak to the situation in PA, but if you are willing to adopt out of the foster system, there's a very good chance the child will qualify.

 

[chuckorc]

Hmmm, do you get 13K for each kid you adopt? I think I have a plan.

Yes, it is per kid since we completed last year (11/2009) we got 12,000 and rolled over a huge chuck for next year.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Hmmm, do you get 13K for each kid you adopt? I think I have a plan.

Good luck coming out ahead on that one! I'm still coming out WAY in the red on this one.

How much is it to adopt a child? Or are you referencing the long term costs of caring for a kid?

Most international adoptions will run in the neighborhood of $30k.

 

[Loves You]

Hmmm, do you get 13K for each kid you adopt? I think I have a plan.

Good luck coming out ahead on that one! I'm still coming out WAY in the red on this one.

How much is it to adopt a child? Or are you referencing the long term costs of caring for a kid?

Most international adoptions will run in the neighborhood of $30k.

Ugh. I was thinking about having 2 kids plus adopting one... Not sure I can afford 30k though.

 

[CrossEyed]

Hmmm, do you get 13K for each kid you adopt? I think I have a plan.

Good luck coming out ahead on that one! I'm still coming out WAY in the red on this one.

How much is it to adopt a child? Or are you referencing the long term costs of caring for a kid?

Most international adoptions will run in the neighborhood of $30k.

Ugh. I was thinking about having 2 kids plus adopting one... Not sure I can afford 30k though.

Would you consider foster to adopt?

 

[Loves You]

Would you consider foster to adopt?

Yes. I wouldn't mind fostering before adoption. Why do you ask -- Is this less expensive?

 

[CrossEyed]

Would you consider foster to adopt?

Yes. I wouldn't mind fostering before adoption. Why do you ask -- Is this less expensive?

In PA the cost is $0. You aren't likely to get an infant (although we ended up getting a 3-month-old), but if you don't mind getting an older child, there are a lot out there that need homes. I can give you more details if you are interested.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Well things sure do change fast in adoption. Two weeks ago we were told by our agency that a birth mother had chosen us. Yadda yadda yadda, we now have a son and should get physical custody tomorrow!

 

[CrossEyed]

Well things sure do change fast in adoption. Two weeks ago we were told by our agency that a birth mother had chosen us. Yadda yadda yadda, we now have a son and should get physical custody tomorrow!

 

[Worm]

Well things sure do change fast in adoption. Two weeks ago we were told by our agency that a birth mother had chosen us. Yadda yadda yadda, we now have a son and should get physical custody tomorrow!

Awesome, congrats!

 

[Worm]

Also, in regards to adoption expenses, I just got our federal tax return back and was looking at all the credits and things we got. I figured out that after our final tax credits next year, we will have gotten back 88% of the adoption costs for our second child. This includes federal and state credits as well as some work-related reimbursements. So, whether it's the foster-to-adopt system as Crosseyed was mentioning, or international adoption, or domestic like us, don't get discouraged. There are many ways to help with the money aspect. It can be done.

 

[CrossEyed]

Also, in regards to adoption expenses, I just got our federal tax return back and was looking at all the credits and things we got. I figured out that after our final tax credits next year, we will have gotten back 88% of the adoption costs for our second child. This includes federal and state credits as well as some work-related reimbursements. So, whether it's the foster-to-adopt system as Crosseyed was mentioning, or international adoption, or domestic like us, don't get discouraged. There are many ways to help with the money aspect. It can be done.

And this year the tax credit is refundable.

 

[CrossEyed]

Tomorrow morning at approximately 9:00 I will officially become a dad.

 

[Worm]

Tomorrow morning at approximately 9:00 I will officially become a dad.

Congrats on the finalization.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Tomorrow morning at approximately 9:00 I will officially become a dad.

Awesome! Congrats!Monday morning for me!

 

[CrossEyed]

Tomorrow morning at approximately 9:00 I will officially become a dad.

Awesome! Congrats!Monday morning for me!

 

[wildbill]

Tomorrow morning at approximately 9:00 I will officially become a dad.

Awesome! Congrats!Monday morning for me!

Congrats to both!

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Been a long time coming. Best wishes to you both and your families!!

 

[CrossEyed]

Woohooo, it's ***OFFICIAL***.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

 

[Follows Closely]

Congratulations to you, your wife and little one!

 

[chuckorc]

Woohooo, it's ***OFFICIAL***.

Congrats man, it's one of the best feelings in the world.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Woohooo, it's ***OFFICIAL***.

 

[CrossEyed]

Thanks guys. What a great day.

 

[Clown Car]

That is so wonderful! I am so happy for you!

 

[Colts Win]

Thanks guys. What a great day.

After parent(s) officially relinquished rights how long did it take before your son was leagly yours?BTW Congrats

 

[Colts Win]

Bump to give CrossEyed a chance to read.

 

[chuckorc]

I'm not Crosseyed, but I recently finalized my adoption in Nov of last year. I live in Wisconsin and we had to wait a minimum of 6 months from the time of parental rights termination before we could have the finalization hearing. From what I understand, parents are given the option to appeal (non voluntary terminations).

Hope this helps some.

Good luck.

 

[CrossEyed]

I'm not Crosseyed, but I recently finalized my adoption in Nov of last year. I live in Wisconsin and we had to wait a minimum of 6 months from the time of parental rights termination before we could have the finalization hearing. From what I understand, parents are given the option to appeal (non voluntary terminations).Hope this helps some.Good luck.

Much faster than that in PA. TPR hearing was February 2. Then there is a 30 day waiting period before you can file for the adoption. After the paperwork is filed there is another 15 day waiting period. Then you just have to get a hearing date. Our was April 21. So 11 weeks from TPR to finalization.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Been crazy busy so I just haven't had time to update this yet. Our adoption was finalized in Taiwan and we picked up our 12 month old baby girl on April 26th. So we've now had her almost a month and it's going awesome so far! Still lots to do as far as the re-adoption process here in the US, getting her name changed, making her an official US citizen, etc. But she's attached to us really quickly and life is good here.

Pic of GDiesellette and most of my ugly mug cropped out.

 

[chuckorc]

Congrats GB enjoy your baby girl. It's the best feeling in the world. That other stuff is a pain and takes time, (I still haven't got all my stuff done after 5 months)

 

[Early_10]

This thread just gets better and better. Congrats parents! Just in time for fathers day GroveDiesel!

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

Our son, Noah James, was born Tues; 5 pounds, 10 ounces and completely healthy. Yesterday, both birthparents signed the paperwork relinquishing any custody and we got to take him home in time for New Year's Eve.

What a great way to celebrate the New Year.

Congratulations LAJ, truly the best gift you'll ever get. Will you update or include the birth parents in any way or not? Have they requested such or are they just letting go so to speak?

We really hit it off with them prior to the adoption; even went out to dinner once just the four of us a couple of weeks ago. No awkardness or anything at all. We'd probably all be good friends if my wife and I were about 10 years younger. They are wanting as much contact/visits as possible. We're all within the same metro area, so for the first few of years, we plan to meet with them at least a couple of times a year. My wife has also setup a blog for him that they can follow. They are young and still in high school, so it's tough to say where things will be in a couple of years, but right now, the plan is for a fairly open relationship.

I've been wanting to post an update to our story, but have been hesitant to do so (you'll see why).Everything had been going great with Noah for the first month and a half we had him. Then we got a call from our adoption agency mid-Feb that his birthmother had hired a lawyer and had filed a lawsuit requesting a new trial to determine custody. At first it wasn't a big deal, because she had already signed her relinquishment of parental rights the day we took him home, and the claims her attorney was making were completely false (Gladney forced her into it, the birthfather forced her...) A couple weeks before the hearing to determine if there was cause for a trial, she gave a deposition to Gladney's attorney admitting that no one had forced her into giving him up and she was just having regrets. Then, inexplicably, the Judge in the case at the family court level granted the motion for a new custody trial, essentially throwing out her initial relinquishment of rights. The last few months had been miserable as we had been having to prepare for the possibility of either losing him or having to agree on some form of joint custody or visitation.

However, one of the (many) attorneys we had working for us and Gladney came up with the idea of filing a Writ of Mandamus with the Texas court of appeals requesting they overturn the judge's motion for new trial based on the fact there was no basis for it and the precedent it would set for future adoptions. We were told it was a longshot, but they were pulling out all the stops on this one. Last Thursday we got a call from our lawyer telling us that the appellate court had ruled and granted the motion. They forced the family court judge to vacate her motion for new trial and ended everything right there. It truly was a miracle and while we still have to wait until the first week of July to finalize, there are no issues that will prevent it.

In case anyone is interested, we have some pics of our family at the link below.

Noah's Blog

 

[pecorino]

really just starting the process right about now. i think we're settled on using an agency instead of going private. any helping words would be appreciated. i figure we're in for a good year or two of paperwork and who knows about the costs but we're taking that first step.

 

[Worm]

really just starting the process right about now. i think we're settled on using an agency instead of going private. any helping words would be appreciated. i figure we're in for a good year or two of paperwork and who knows about the costs but we're taking that first step.

I would always recommend using an agency. I know it can work going the private/facilitator/attorney route, but going through an agency has a lot of benefits, not the least of which is peace of mind.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Our son, Noah James, was born Tues; 5 pounds, 10 ounces and completely healthy. Yesterday, both birthparents signed the paperwork relinquishing any custody and we got to take him home in time for New Year's Eve.

What a great way to celebrate the New Year.

Congratulations LAJ, truly the best gift you'll ever get. Will you update or include the birth parents in any way or not? Have they requested such or are they just letting go so to speak?

We really hit it off with them prior to the adoption; even went out to dinner once just the four of us a couple of weeks ago. No awkardness or anything at all. We'd probably all be good friends if my wife and I were about 10 years younger. They are wanting as much contact/visits as possible. We're all within the same metro area, so for the first few of years, we plan to meet with them at least a couple of times a year. My wife has also setup a blog for him that they can follow. They are young and still in high school, so it's tough to say where things will be in a couple of years, but right now, the plan is for a fairly open relationship.

I've been wanting to post an update to our story, but have been hesitant to do so (you'll see why).Everything had been going great with Noah for the first month and a half we had him. Then we got a call from our adoption agency mid-Feb that his birthmother had hired a lawyer and had filed a lawsuit requesting a new trial to determine custody. At first it wasn't a big deal, because she had already signed her relinquishment of parental rights the day we took him home, and the claims her attorney was making were completely false (Gladney forced her into it, the birthfather forced her...) A couple weeks before the hearing to determine if there was cause for a trial, she gave a deposition to Gladney's attorney admitting that no one had forced her into giving him up and she was just having regrets. Then, inexplicably, the Judge in the case at the family court level granted the motion for a new custody trial, essentially throwing out her initial relinquishment of rights. The last few months had been miserable as we had been having to prepare for the possibility of either losing him or having to agree on some form of joint custody or visitation.

However, one of the (many) attorneys we had working for us and Gladney came up with the idea of filing a Writ of Mandamus with the Texas court of appeals requesting they overturn the judge's motion for new trial based on the fact there was no basis for it and the precedent it would set for future adoptions. We were told it was a longshot, but they were pulling out all the stops on this one. Last Thursday we got a call from our lawyer telling us that the appellate court had ruled and granted the motion. They forced the family court judge to vacate her motion for new trial and ended everything right there. It truly was a miracle and while we still have to wait until the first week of July to finalize, there are no issues that will prevent it.

In case anyone is interested, we have some pics of our family at the link below.

Noah's Blog

Wow, glad that worked out for you. That type of garbage is one of the big reasons we adopted internationally. That had to be a huge emotional rollercoaster.

 

[Black Box]

Been crazy busy so I just haven't had time to update this yet. Our adoption was finalized in Taiwan and we picked up our 12 month old baby girl on April 26th. So we've now had her almost a month and it's going awesome so far! Still lots to do as far as the re-adoption process here in the US, getting her name changed, making her an official US citizen, etc. But she's attached to us really quickly and life is good here.

Pic of GDiesellette and most of my ugly mug cropped out.

Missed this.Congrats!!

 

[Autumn Wind]

really just starting the process right about now. i think we're settled on using an agency instead of going private. any helping words would be appreciated. i figure we're in for a good year or two of paperwork and who knows about the costs but we're taking that first step.

I would always recommend using an agency. I know it can work going the private/facilitator/attorney route, but going through an agency has a lot of benefits, not the least of which is peace of mind.

Agreed. I would just add, however, that you should take to multiple agencies and get to know them as best you can. There are definitely good ones and not so good ones. Also, our son just turned 2 months old and we're planning on having lunch with his birth mother soon.

 

[Worm]

So, we've had our homestudy approved for a month or so (just updated it actually, since it was within 18 months of when we completed it for daughter #2), but we're not really sure which direction we're heading. We're being pulled in a few different directions and just don't know which one is the right one. But #3 is on the horizon somewhere.

 

[CrossEyed]

Our little guy turned one.

rouddad:

 

[GroveDiesel]

Been crazy busy so I just haven't had time to update this yet. Our adoption was finalized in Taiwan and we picked up our 12 month old baby girl on April 26th. So we've now had her almost a month and it's going awesome so far! Still lots to do as far as the re-adoption process here in the US, getting her name changed, making her an official US citizen, etc. But she's attached to us really quickly and life is good here.

Pic of GDiesellette and most of my ugly mug cropped out.

Missed this.Congrats!!

That's because you ditched Facebook!Also, congrats CE on your son's first birthday! He looks so happy!

 

[GroveDiesel]

Ugh. So my wife and I are starting to finally get around to re-adopting our little girl here in the U.S. I'm hoping to do it pro se since the whole process has already been so expensive. It would be nice to save a few bucks. The state of NJ isn't making it easy though. Basically I have to go to the local law library, read up on how to write up the forms to submit to the court, write up about 4 legal documents, get fingerprinted...again, etc.

Maybe it's like this in every state, but it seems ridiculous that there aren't just some forms to fill out, but that I have to actually write up a Complaint for Adoption, Affidavit of Monies Paid, Final Judgement, etc. Talk about throwing a bone to the lawyers in the state. Much less intimidating to hire an attorney to do all that stuff than have to go find a book at the law library and figure it out yourself.

 

[CrossEyed]

Ugh. So my wife and I are starting to finally get around to re-adopting our little girl here in the U.S. I'm hoping to do it pro se since the whole process has already been so expensive. It would be nice to save a few bucks. The state of NJ isn't making it easy though. Basically I have to go to the local law library, read up on how to write up the forms to submit to the court, write up about 4 legal documents, get fingerprinted...again, etc.

Maybe it's like this in every state, but it seems ridiculous that there aren't just some forms to fill out, but that I have to actually write up a Complaint for Adoption, Affidavit of Monies Paid, Final Judgement, etc. Talk about throwing a bone to the lawyers in the state. Much less intimidating to hire an attorney to do all that stuff than have to go find a book at the law library and figure it out yourself.

Sorry if you've explained this earlier, but what exactly does this mean?

 

[GroveDiesel]

Ugh. So my wife and I are starting to finally get around to re-adopting our little girl here in the U.S. I'm hoping to do it pro se since the whole process has already been so expensive. It would be nice to save a few bucks. The state of NJ isn't making it easy though. Basically I have to go to the local law library, read up on how to write up the forms to submit to the court, write up about 4 legal documents, get fingerprinted...again, etc.

Maybe it's like this in every state, but it seems ridiculous that there aren't just some forms to fill out, but that I have to actually write up a Complaint for Adoption, Affidavit of Monies Paid, Final Judgement, etc. Talk about throwing a bone to the lawyers in the state. Much less intimidating to hire an attorney to do all that stuff than have to go find a book at the law library and figure it out yourself.

Sorry if you've explained this earlier, but what exactly does this mean?

If you do an international adoption and fly over to see the child before it is finalized in the other country, then the child gets an IR3 visa and becomes a US citizen upon entering the country.If you do NOT visit beforehand, then the child gets an IR4 visa and the adoption is not considered final in the US. Which means that legally we're still only considered guardians and our daughter is not a US citizen. So we need to adopt her in the state of New Jersey to legally become her parents and obtain a State of NJ birth certificate. We then have to send that to INS to get her Certificate of Citizenship and US passport which makes her a US citizen.

All because of when you meet your child for the first time.