Putting Your Child Up for Adoption

What You Should Know About Placing Your Child for Adoption

With over a million American couples waiting to adopt a child at any given time, adoption can be a great way to provide a stable and supportive home for your child. However, the decision to put your child up for adoption is not an easy one, and it’s vital to explore all of the implications before making a final decision.

What Is Adoption?

Adoption is a legal process by which a person becomes the parent of a child who is not their biological offspring. Once the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parent assumes all of the legal rights and responsibilities to the child, just as if they were the biological parent.

There are a few different types of adoption to consider. For parents considering placing their child for adoption, two of the most relevant options are open and closed adoptions. Open adoptions allow for contact between the birth parent and adoptive family after the adoption is finalized. Closed adoptions, on the other hand, involve no contact between the two parties once the adoption is finalized.

Overview of the Process

The process of putting a child up for adoption can vary depending on the type of route you choose. Generally, however, you’ll want to begin by contacting a New Jersey adoption lawyer to discuss your legal options and the implications of adoption.

It may also be wise to contact a reputable adoption agency during this time. An adoption agency is an organization that works to match birth parents with adoptive families and facilitate the adoption process. Most agencies will allow you to meet prospective adoptive families and decide which one you feel is the best fit for your child.

If you already have an interested adoptive family in mind, you may be able to pursue a private adoption rather than working with an agency. This option can reduce the cost and length of time it takes to finalize the adoption, but it is important to work with an attorney to ensure that the process is done legally and safely.

Potential Challenges

Although adoption can bring many benefits to children and families, it’s not without its challenges. Placing your child for adoption can be difficult emotionally, and you may need to seek professional counseling or support from friends and family during this time. Even if you are comfortable with your decision, you may be surprised by the range of emotions you experience throughout the process.

Adoption can also present emotional difficulties for the child. Children may express feelings of loss, confusion, or abandonment over their adoption. This type of response is most typically associated with older children who remember their birth parents, but babies and toddlers are not immune to these feelings either.

You’re making this decision for the benefit of your child, but they’re likely too young to understand this, and it’s important to prepare them for the potential emotional struggles they may face. If you’re concerned about the potential negative effects of the adoption on the child, you may want to advocate for an open adoption that allows them to maintain contact with you, which can soften the impact of this transition.

Alternatives to Adoption

Keep in mind that adoption isn’t necessarily your only option. If you’re considering adoption, take some time to explore other routes as well.

For example, if you’re struggling to provide proper care for your child due to potentially temporary circumstances such as addiction, illness, or financial hardship, you may want to consider a temporary legal guardianship arrangement until you’re able to restore stability. You can also take a look at local resources such as Medicaid, food assistance, job training programs, and other forms of government aid that may make it easier for you to provide a healthy home environment.

Ultimately, the decision to place your child for adoption is entirely in your hands, and it can be the right choice for some families. With prior knowledge of what’s involved and the potential challenges, you can make an informed decision that best serves the needs of your child. Get started today by contacting a New Jersey adoption lawyer at (856) 429-5005. With offices in Haddonfield, Woodbury, and Philadelphia, the Cofsky & Zeidman team is here to support you every step of the way.

What to Consider Before You Decide to Adopt

What to Consider Before You Decide to Adopt

No matter the circumstances, adoption is always a major decision. Approximately 135,000 children are adopted every year in the United States. This includes an estimated 59% from the foster care system, 26% from abroad and 15% who are relinquished voluntarily.

Adoption Can Be Hard for Everyone Involved

The process of adoption may be overwhelming to the parents, and it’s often scary for the kids involved. It can also stir up a significant amount of fear and other emotions.

When you think about whether or not this life choice is right for your family, consider what’s at the heart of your desire to adopt. Make sure that the choices you make are truly for the child’s benefit. Although the vast majority of adopting parents have the best intentions, it’s still possible to lose sight of things in this complex and often lengthy process.

Anticipate Each Child’s Unique Challenges

Remember that no two children are the same, so all kids need different things from their parents. Make sure to consider your family’s limitations, and be realistic about what you’re capable of. If a child has a physical or mental disability, which is the case with numerous adoption candidates, their care will take extra time, care and effort.

Adoptive parents should also think about the child’s background, age and gender. These factors can play a significant role in how much work it will take for the adoptive family to provide a suitable, healthy environment for the child to grow up and thrive in.

In addition to gearing yourself up emotionally, you have to keep the logistical concerns in mind. If you have never had a kid in your house, try to think of everything you’ll have to do in order to child-proof the space. Some hazards might not become obvious until it’s too late if you don’t give it enough forethought. In addition to safety, ask yourself if you can make changes in decor or in your home’s layout to make it more inviting to a child who may be feeling fragile.

It Takes a Village

When you adopt a child, community support is essential. It’s difficult to raise a well-rounded child in isolation. Before you adopt, think about who you can turn to for help. This includes family, friends and neighbors. Who will watch your child if you get stuck at work or have to go out of town?

You can also see if there are groups in your area that you can join. It might be helpful to talk to a New Jersey adoption attorney. Sometimes, just the feeling that there are others around who are on your side can make all the difference.

Help is crucial for all new parents, and adoptive parents shouldn’t feel the need to try to shoulder everything themselves. It’s not just important for the parents but also the child you’re adopting. Strong community support can help them to feel like they’re supported in every way and that they have access to everything they need.

Think About What the Child Has Lost

What some adoptive families don’t realize is that the adopted child starts the experience with the loss of their previous family and household. It may take some time for them to fully grieve this loss. You might notice an adopted child act out in various ways.

It’s helpful to anticipate this type of behavior and attempt to understand why it’s happening. Adoptive parents have to rise to this challenge and keep their cool so that they can work through issues as they come up. An adopted child might not be ready or willing to talk about their trauma right away, and they may still have yet to learn the emotional tools to express these kinds of complex feelings. Family therapy sessions could allow everyone an outlet to discuss their feelings and get advice about how to move forward.

Before adoption, it’s best to figure out whether you’d prefer that the adoption be open, where the child can have contact with their biological parents, or closed adoptions, where they can’t. Each choice presents different challenges and advantages and depends on your situation and family. In dome cases, you won’t have full control over the relationship that your adopted child has with their biological parents.

At Cofsy & Zeidman, you’ll find a New Jersey adoption attorney who will walk you through every step of the process. Call (856) 429-5005 to reach us in Haddonfield or (856) 845-2555 for our office in Woodbury. We also serve clients in Pennsylvania.

Adoption vs. An Embryo Donation

The Pros of Cons of Embryo Donation

In vitro fertilization has become far more common in recent years, which has given rise to a corresponding increase in embryo donations. The couples who choose IVF desperately want to have children, and many of them choose to donate their unused embryos to help others in the same predicament. Embryo donation remains fairly rare compared to adoption, but there are several reasons why prospective parents might find it an attractive option.

Embryo Donation Is Less Expensive Than Adoption

The adoption process can be grueling for prospective parents, and it can also be financially draining. The cost of adopting a child in the United States is usually between $15,000 and $40,000 when an agency is involved, and not all of this money is refunded if the adoption does not go through. Embryo donations often involve couples who know each other, so the only costs they face are fees charged by IVF clinics. Embryo donation agencies have started to appear, but the fees they charge are much lower than the costs of traditional adoption.

Embryo Donation Is Faster Than Adoption

The conventional adoption process can be particularly hard on couples that hope to adopt an infant. Couples wishing to adopt a newborn baby face a wait of at least two years, and couples who are open to adopting toddlers face waits almost as long. Thousands of embryos available for donation are being stored in IVF clinics all over the country, which means the wait times for prospective parents who choose this approach are usually measured in months rather than years.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Most of the couples who pursue traditional adoptions would prefer to get pregnant and have a baby naturally if they could. Embryo donation allows couples to enjoy this life experience, and it also gives them a level of control over the pregnancy that they would not have in adoption. When a child is adopted, the new parents can never be completely sure that the birth mother acted responsibly when she was pregnant.

The Risks of Embryo Donation

Speed, affordability, and the chance to experience pregnancy can all make embryo donation an attractive alternative to adoption for couples who want children but cannot conceive, but there are also risks to consider. Not all pregnancies go smoothly, and there is no guarantee that an embryo donation will lead to a live birth. With an adoption, prospective parents can expect a healthy child to be waiting for them at the end of the process.

Donated Genetic Material

Couples may choose donated sperm or eggs as an alternative to embryo donation. Embryo donation may seem the more attractive option because the donated embryos will be healthy, but there will only be a limited number available. Donated sperm and eggs are easier to acquire, and they may also cost less than healthy embryos.

Legal Issues

The growing popularity of embryo donation has raised a few legal issues. Prospective parents in states like New Jersey where embryos are considered property should make sure that both parents consent to the donation, and the enforceability of embryo donation contracts is far from certain in some parts of the country. If you have questions about any of these issues, a New Jersey adoption lawyer may provide you with guidance.

Helping Couples Who Want Children

The experienced family law attorneys at Cofsy & Zeidman have helped hundreds of couples to experience the joy of welcoming children into their homes. If you are thinking about embryo donation but have some questions, you should speak with one of our New Jersey adoption lawyers with experience in this area. To schedule a free consultation, you can either call our main Haddonfield office at (856) 429-5005 or use our online form. We also have offices in Woodbury and Philadelphia.

How A SCOTUS Ruling May Affect Native American Adoptions

SCOTUS Expected to Rule on Native American Adoptions

A lawsuit that has reached the U.S. Supreme Court may change the law surrounding the ability for people to adopt Native American children. In the U.S., upwards of 135,000 children are adopted every year. If you’d like to file for an adoption, our New Jersey adoption attorney can help protect your legal rights and understand what the adoption process entails.

The Indian Child Welfare Act and the Lawsuit Against It

In early November, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Haaland v. Brackeen, which is a series of cases that aim to have the Indian Child Welfare Act overturned. This law was officially enacted in 1978 and was designed to reduce the number of Native children who were being separated from family members. The law also provides tribal nations with a say in any child welfare case that involves a child associated with a federally recognized tribe.

Currently, this law has placement preferences that provide the child’s extended family with priority when it comes to adoption. The child’s tribe and other Native families also have priority over non-Native individuals. This case was brought forth by a white couple living in Texas who had difficulties adopting a child from the Navajo tribe that they were previously fostering.

Along with other foster parents throughout Texas, the couple states that the Indian Child Welfare Act puts them in last place to adopt Native children, which they believe is a form of racial discrimination. Before the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted, thousands of children ended up being removed from their homes to go to boarding schools in an attempt to make them become more accustomed to white American society. In this situation, these children were unable to maintain their culture and speak the languages that their tribes spoke.

This problem was further exacerbated when the federal government created the Indian Adoption Project, which centered around placing Native children in white homes. Because of the almost immediate erosion of culture and language within the Native communities, Congress made the decision to pass the Indian Child Welfare Act to make sure that Native children were able to keep their connections to their communities.

What Opponents of the Law Say

Opponents of this law are mainly conservative organizations like the Goldwater Institute. They argue that this law imposes standards that make it much more difficult for Native children to get into stable homes with people who will love them.

At the moment, there are a large number of Native children in foster care, which critics of the aforementioned law believe is the result of there not being enough Native homes to place these children in.

While many Native children are placed in foster care, this arrangement is meant to be a temporary one. The primary goal of this process is to eventually have the child reunite with their parent or find a home that best suits them. Keep in mind that the Indian Child Welfare Act contains some exceptions for the permanent placement of Native children.

The proponents of this law state that the guidelines mentioned in the Indian Child Welfare Act are just preferences that still provide non-Native families with the means to adopt Native children. In most cases, the judge overseeing the adoption process has discretion over what the result of the case is. Some of the plaintiffs also state that this law is racist since it gives preference to Native relatives and Native families as opposed to non-Native individuals.

How Tribal Nations Have Responded

Representatives of many tribal nations state that the Indian Child Welfare Act is necessary to protect their future and the future of their government. In the event that the Supreme Court rules that Native American tribes are racial groups as opposed to political entities, the law would be considered unconstitutional. Tribal nations fear that the legal standing for their tribal sovereignty would then be in question.

The plaintiffs have also argued that the U.S. Congress overreached when they created the Indian Child Welfare Act, which tribal nations believe could make it easier for Title 25 of the U.S. Code to be disputed. Title 25 is a portion of the law that centers around Native Indians and tribes.

If you’re thinking about adoptiion, having an experienced attorney by your side should simplify the process and help you navigate any hurdles that arise. Call our New Jersey adoption attorney today at (856) 429-5005 to schedule an appointment at our Haddonfield office.

Telling Your Child That They Were Adopted

How to Tell Your Child That They Were Adopted

When your child asks where they came from, it’s important to be honest with them about their adoption. Here are a few tips on how to have that conversation.

The Importance of an Honest Conversation

Early disclosure about your child’s adoption is essential for their sense of self-esteem. It shows your child that their caregivers are trustworthy and can be counted on to give them accurate information, which helps to foster a strong attachment bond.

This will serve them well as they navigate their way through the challenges and transitions of adolescence and adulthood. When children are raised to believe that they can trust their caregivers, they will be more trustworthy and receptive to other people, which will set them up for success in all areas of their lives.

In contrast, when adoptees learn the truth in late childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, they often feel an overwhelming sense of betrayal. The adoption itself is not what hurts; it’s the sense that their parents were not honest with them about their origin and identity. This can be a trauma that takes a lifetime to heal.

When to Start Talking to Your Child About Their Adoption

To avoid the potential for this type of trauma, it’s best to start talking about your child’s adoption as early as possible. This applies even if you adopted your child as an infant.

In many cases, there is no need to sit down for a formal “talk.” You can simply integrate information about their adoption into your everyday conversations. For example, you can begin by simply using the word “adoption” in a sentence when you’re talking about your family.

You can also read books about adoption with your child. There are many great children’s books that explain the concept of adoption in a way that is developmentally appropriate. This can help to normalize the experience for your child and give them a starting point for asking questions.

Once your child is old enough to understand the concept, you can have more in-depth conversations about their adoption, allowing your child to set the pace. You can share with them as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with. It’s important to be honest and open but also to respect your child’s need for privacy and space to process this information. If they have any legal concerns about their adoption, you can also help them work with a New Jersey adoption lawyer.

How to Tell Your Child That They Were Adopted

If you have not talked about your child’s adoption with them before, it’s never too late to start. When you’re ready to have the conversation, sit down with your child and explain that you want to talk about how they came into your family. Avoid immediately jumping into a discussion of their birth parents. Instead, focus on how much you love them and how grateful you are that they are part of your family.

There is no one “right” way to tell your child that they were adopted. The most important thing is to be honest and open. You can also tailor your approach to fit your child’s individual personality and needs.

Some adopted children prefer to receive all of the information about their adoption up front. Others prefer to gradually learn more over time. There is no wrong way to do this as long as you are respecting your child’s wishes.

What to Do if Your Child Is Struggling With Their Adoption

It’s normal for adoptees to experience a range of emotions about their adoption. These emotions can range from positive to negative and can change over time. Some common emotions that adopted children may feel include grief, loss, anger, shame, and guilt. It’s important to allow your child to express these emotions and validate their feelings.

If your child is struggling with their adoption, there are many resources available to help. You can talk to your child’s doctor or therapist or contact an adoption support group. You may also want to work with a New Jersey adoption lawyer if there are legal issues that need to be addressed. For example, if your child is over the age of 18, they may have the right to access their original birth certificate.

An experienced New Jersey adoption attorney can help you navigate these complicated legal issues and protect your family’s rights. Contact the Haddonfield office of Cofsy & Zeidman today at (856) 429-5005 to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help.

International Adoptions and the Hague Adoption Convention

How the Hague Adoption Convention Shapes Intercountry Adoptions

The United States welcomes more children through intercountry adoption each year than any other nation in the world. In fact, since 1999, more than 250,000 international adoptions have been finalized in the U.S. It can be a complicated process that requires representation of an attorney skilled in international adoptions, but the Hague Adoption Convention has formalized that process and gives the adopting parents peace of mind that the child is not exploited and has been protected.

Hague Adoption Convention

The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement to formalize international adoptions and protect the children involved. This convention is often referred to as the Hague Adoption Convention for short and not just the Hague Convention as to differentiate it from the pre-War World I series of treaties that were the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907. The U.S. signed the Hague Adoption Convention in 1994.

How the Hague Convention Protects Children

The Convention requires that all participating countries establish a Central Authority. The Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority. These centralized authorities are in place to vet prospective adoptions and ensure that the child has not been abducted, sold or trafficked. An authority also ensures that a child is eligible for international adoption according to local laws and that the necessary measures have been taken to find a home for the child in its country of origin.

U.S. Convention Process

Not all adoption agencies are eligible to provide services related to an intercountry adoption in the U.S. An agency must either be accredited or approved on the federal level. This ensures the adopting parents that they are dealing with an Accrediting Entity or what is known as an Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity, Inc. or IAAME in the language of the convention. An Accrediting Entity is evaluated on an ongoing basis and is not in violation of any professional or ethical practices.

U.S. Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000

Adherence to the Hague Adoption Convention has been a complex and time-intensive endeavor for all participating countries. In the U.S., it was implemented through the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000. The IAA, for instance, implemented the rules and regulations for accrediting entities. It also requires the Department of State to verify that each intercountry adoption completed in the U.S. is in accordance with convention regulations and then issue a certificate from the Secretary of State.

Universal Accreditation Act of 2012

The Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 expanded federal regulation in the U.S. It specifically extended the oversight and ongoing monitoring of approved and accredited adoption services within the U.S. It also extended all safeguards defined by the convention to nonparticipating countries. This means that U.S. adoption agencies must oversee all international adoptions as convention adoptions, even if the child is from a country that did not agree to the convention.

Post Adoption

Adoptions in general are often complex. Intercountry adoptions can be even more so. Parents adopting in New Jersey are encouraged to hire a New Jersey adoption lawyer to help them navigate the process. Even after you receive the child’s Hague Adoption Certificate or Hague Custody Certificate from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, there is still much to do. You must acquire U.S. citizenship for the child so that the child is not subject to deportation and will have access to all privileges with age, such college scholarships and the right to work and vote. Depending on the country of origin, you may also have post-adoption and post-placement reporting responsibilities.

Are You Considering an International Adoption?

If you are considering an international adoption and live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, the Law Office of Cofsky & Zeidman, LLC, is here to help. New Jersey adoption lawyer Donald C. Cofsky has personally overseen more than 1,500 adoption cases since joining the bar in 1974. You can contact us online or reach our Haddonfield, NJ office at (856) 429-5005, our Woodbury, New Jersey office at (856) 845-2555 or our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office at (215) 563-2150.

What You Need to Know About Adoptions in New Jersey

How Does Adoption Work in New Jersey?

At the end of 2020, more than 117,000 children in the United States were waiting to be adopted. Many people express interest in adopting a child, but finding a New Jersey adoption lawyer, understanding the process and paying for the costs may overwhelm them to the point where they change their minds. If you’re considering growing your New Jersey family through this method, here’s what you need to know.

Choosing a Birth Mother

When a birth mother realizes that raising a child is not her best option, she may decide to work with an adoption agency in order to make sure that everything is set up for her child to go to the home of her choice after birth. The mother can start participating in counseling services related to adoption as soon as she has a confirmed pregnancy. Legal consent for the adoption can’t be signed by the birth mother until 72 hours after the child’s birth. The mother can choose to help select the adoptive parents, but New Jersey law doesn’t require her to do this.

Paying for the Birth Mother’s Expenses

Prenatal care and giving birth are major expenses for the birth mother. New Jersey Title 9:3-39.1 e stipulates which expenses the adoptive parents can pay. These expenses include hospital bills, prenatal and postnatal care, adoption services, legal services, and placement costs. The postnatal period extends to four weeks after the child’s birth.

Choosing Adoptive Parents

New Jersey laws state that only approved individuals or agencies can assist with adoption. The process can’t be contingent on payments. Any payments made aren’t refundable. If the adoption doesn’t go through an agency, the costs are the responsibility of the adoptive parent.

Consenting to Adoption

A birth mother can change her mind at any time before signing the consent for the adoption. She doesn’t have to provide a reason. However, no consent is needed if the birth mother’s parental rights were terminated, if she surrendered her child through a valid method, such as a safe haven post at a police station. Birth fathers have up to 20 days after the child’s birth to object to the adoption process. If the birth father’s whereabouts are unknown or his parental rights were terminated, the process can proceed without his consent.

Sharing Information

Once an adoption is finalized through the court, it’s up to all parties involved as to whether or not there is one-way or two-way communication. A birth mother may request that her information not be provided to the child or adoptive parents. Adoptive parents aren’t required to have any communication at all with the birth mother or father. At the signing of consent, the birth mother loses all of her parental rights permanently, and those rights are transferred to the adoptive parents. Many birth mothers choose to share essential medical information that adoptive parents would need in order to ensure that the child receives optimal health care. This includes details about drug or alcohol use during her pregnancy, familial or genetic disorders, and her medical history.

Who Can Adopt a Child in New Jersey?

Adults at least 18 years of age and at least 10 years older than the child being adopted can legally adopt a child in New Jersey. The fitness of the prospective adoptive parents is determined by the local child welfare agency. This process includes an inspection and survey of the home, a criminal background check of the prospective adoptive parent, and an investigation as to whether or not the adoptive parent has any history of sexual misconduct.

For more information about the adoption process, contact our Haddonfield law office at (856) 429-5005 to make an appointment with our New Jersey adoption lawyer. You may also complete our online contact form, and one of our associates will get in touch with you to schedule a consultation.

The Adoption Process for Same-sex Couples

How to Adopt for Same-sex Couples

Upon the birth of a child, parental rights automatically default to the baby’s biological parents, also known as the natural parents. An LGBTQ parent will likely turn to adoption when one person in the couple has given birth to a child from someone else outside of the relationship.

When a child comes from a parent’s former relationship, it is common for the new person in the picture to want to show how much they love and care for the child by legally adopting them. It’s a way of moving the relationship forward. If it has become obvious to the couple that they’re staying together for the long haul, it makes sense to move ahead with the legal step of adoption.

This tends to be true whether marriage is part of the plan or not. It’s a matter of commitment and a show of affection and devotion. Through adoption, permanence is brought into the new parent’s relationship with the child.

In some cases, neither of the parents in the same-sex relationship are biologically related to the child. Fortunately for LGBTQ parents living in New Jersey, same-sex couples are just as eligible to go through with adoption as heterosexual couples are.

Although it wouldn’t be necessary for a parent to adopt their own kids in an ideal world, it’s still the best thing to do if you’re a nonbiological parent in a same-sex relationship if you want to secure your parental rights.

Adoption is a way of protecting these rights regardless of where you live or visit on vacation. It’s an option for hopeful parents in a same-sex marriage, civil union, or registered domestic partnership. The possible routes that LGBTQ parents have are broken down into two categories: second-parent adoption and stepparent adoption.

Second-parent Adoption

With second-parent adoption, it doesn’t matter if the relationship between the parents is recognized by law. The parent is allowed through this procedure to adopt their partner’s biological or adoptive child without ending the legal parental status of the original parent. In most states, this is the most common way that LGBTQ parents successfully adopt children. For those living in New Jersey filing for second-parent adoption, the court action is brought in your home county.

Stepparent Adoption

The other course of action is called stepparent adoption. In New Jersey, same-sex parents who are married to their partner are able to adopt a child using the process that a heterosexual stepparent goes through to adopt. The most essential part of this process is gaining legal permission for the adoption from the child’s other natural parent.

A stepparent adoption can also be accomplished by ending the rights that the other parent has to the child. When terminating someone’s parental rights, a hearing is typically necessary to prove the validity of the reasoning for taking the parent away from the child. There must be a serious case brought against the parent’s behavior, such as abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

It is not as common to move for termination of the other parent’s child rights as it is to simply ask for consent, but it’s still something that happens regularly. The process is much more challenging, and it may be a good idea to contact a New Jersey adoption lawyer for guidance.

Starting the Process

The first thing that a same-sex couple needs to do to start the adoption process is to file an official complaint. This must include all relevant demographic data on you, your child, and the other parent. Details regarding any other kids in the mix and the length of time that this child has been living with which parent should also be noted. This is also when the name that the child will go by after the adoption is decided.

A consent affidavit must be signed by the biological parent for their approval of the adoption to be legally recognized. In these cases, although a hearing is still required, it is simply a formality to go through before the process is completed with a judgment for adoption. Since everyone has agreed to the adoption, there shouldn’t be any hang-ups at this step.

Call a New Jersey adoption lawyer at Cofsky & Zeidman today at (856) 429-5005 to find out more about how we can assist you in these types of matters.

New Jersey Adoption Assistance Overview

Overview of State Assistance for Adoption in New Jersey

If you are thinking about adoption in New Jersey, you’ll want to learn about the state’s adoption assistance program. This program offers financial assistance and other benefits to adoptive parents who are considering adopting a child with special needs from foster care. Eligible families may be able to receive up to $2,000 for nonrecurring expenses and up to $877 per month for the routine costs associated with raising a child.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for New Jersey’s Adoption Subsidy?

To be eligible for the adoption subsidy, prospective parents must consider adopting a child with special needs. New Jersey defines the following circumstances and characteristics as special needs for adoption purposes.

  • A medical condition requiring frequent treatment or hospitalization
  • A physical disability
  • A substantial disfigurement
  • A diagnosed mental health condition, including an emotional or behavioral problem, psychiatric disorder, or serious intellectual disability
  • Part of a group of three or more siblings who are placed together
  • Part of a group of two siblings in which one sibling meets other special needs criteria, and the siblings are placed together
  • 10 years of age or older
  • Member of an ethnic or minority demographic that does not have adoptive homes available
  • Suffered abuse or neglect resulting in out-of-home placement by Child Protection & Permanency (CP&P)

Certain other circumstances or conditions may be approved for assistance based on approval by the CP&P director or designee. These include:

  • Substantial risk of problems resulting from prenatal drug exposure
  • Elevated probability of developing mental illness due to genetic predisposition
  • Placement with a relative who cannot adopt the child without financial assistance

Other criteria may apply, so it’s wise to speak with a New Jersey adoption lawyer before deciding whether the adoption subsidy is right for your family.

What Type of Financial Assistance Is Available Through the Adoption Assistance Program in New Jersey?

The New Jersey adoption subsidy program offers financial assistance of varying amounts depending on the child’s needs. New Jersey adoption assistance typically falls under one of two categories: nonrecurring expenses and recurring expenses.

The program covers some or all the costs for nonrecurring adoption expenses, such as attorney fees and court costs. The reimbursement amount is a maximum of $2,000 per child, including up to $500 for legal fees per child.

These one-time expenses may be reimbursed up to two years after the adoption is finalized. If the adoption is not finalized, reimbursement may occur up to two years after it was disrupted.

Other payments are available to cover a portion of the day-to-day costs of raising an adoptive child. These are known as maintenance payments, and the exact amount a family can receive will depend on the age of the child as follows.

  • Age 0-5: $738 per month
  • Age 6-9: $818 per month
  • Age 10-12: $845 per month
  • Age 13+ $877 per month

Maintenance payments may begin at the time of adoption placement. This means that families can typically receive these adoption assistance payments in New Jersey before the adoption is finalized.

How Long Do Payments Last Under the Adoption Assistance Program in New Jersey?

Adoption assistance payments in New Jersey may continue until one of the following occurs.

  • The child turns 18 years of age.
  • The child completes high school.

The event that occurs last will determine when assistance payments will be discontinued. For instance, if a child turns 18 years of age before graduating high school, his or her parents will continue to receive adoption assistance payments until graduation occurs. If a child finishes high school before turning 18, the payments will continue until his or her 18th birthday.

Adoption assistance in New Jersey is complex, and this brief overview covers only the basics of this program. If you are thinking about adopting in New Jersey, it’s important that you fully understand what state assistance is available to help support your family.

To learn more about New Jersey’s adoption subsidy program and eligibility requirements, speak with an experienced New Jersey adoption lawyer at Cofsky & Zeidman. You can get in touch with us today by calling our Haddonfield office at (856) 429-5005 or our Woodbury office at (856) 845-2555.

Qualification Requirements for State Adoption Assistance Programs

Parents who are considering adopting a child who has certain types of needs may be able to qualify for various state adoption assistance programs. In New Jersey alone, there were nearly 1,100 adoptions in 2011, which means that qualifying for an assistance program isn’t always simple and straightforward. Before you begin the adoption process, you should take a look at the qualification requirements to determine if one or more of the assistance programs would apply to your situation.

What Are New Jersey’s Adoption Assistance Programs?

Adoption assistance is available to those parents who are thinking about adopting a child from foster care. Keep in mind that these subsidies only apply to children who have certain types of needs. The purpose of these subsidies is to help parents pay for the many expenses that come with raising a child.

 

In order to qualify for state adoption assistance programs, state authorities will take a close look at the child’s history. Because only children who have been in foster care can qualify for these programs, the child’s detailed history must be available. The qualification requirements are the same regardless of the adoption assistance program you obtain.

Qualifying for State Adoption Assistance Programs

The following details all of the circumstances that would allow a child to qualify for an adoption assistance program in New Jersey. Keep in mind that the child in question must meet at least one of these requirements to qualify for subsidies. Subsidies are provided to parents in the event that the needs the child has would create a notable barrier for adoption. If the child in question has a significant disfigurement, they may qualify for subsidies. This disfigurement could be the loss of facial features or the deformation of extremities.

 

If the child has a dental or medical condition that will require numerous treatments or visits to the hospital, subsidies may be available. Subsidies could also be available in the event that the child has a physical deformity or defect that is expected to make them at least partially incapacitated for work or school. If the child has at least one sibling that meets these criteria, it’s possible that they could receive adoption assistance. This assistance is only available if it’s believed that the siblings must be placed together during adoption.

 

The child you’re considering adopting could enable you to qualify for a state adoption assistance program if they have been diagnosed with a psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorder. A common example of this type of disorder is a developmental disability. Age can play a factor in whether or not a child receives adoption assistance. If the child is over 10 years old, they could receive assistance without issue. In the event that the child is a member of a minority or ethnic group and doesn’t have easy access to adoptive homes, assistance is available if they are at least 2 years old.

 

There are times when qualification for a state adoption assistance program could be approved if the child meets certain conditions. These conditions include being at a heightened risk of educational, emotional, or developmental problems, being at a heightened risk of mental illness as a result of a parent’s history, and being placed in a home with a relative who won’t adopt the child unless they receive a subsidy. If the child you want to adopt meets one of these requirements, you may be able to receive some adoption assistance.

How Our New Jersey Adoption Lawyer Can Help You

Our New Jersey adoption lawyer can help you navigate every phase of the process to make sure that it progresses smoothly. A core aspect of our adoption services involves helping parents manage all of the expenses that come with adopting a child, which extends to the application process for adoption assistance programs.

 

Our assistance also applies to the home study, which is a key step in the adoption process that takes place after you have finished the necessary classes and have submitted your application. If you believe that now is the right time for you to adopt a child, our lawyers will be with you every step of the way.

 

If you are getting ready to adopt a child who has certain needs and believe that you will require some monetary assistance to handle the initial expenses, contact us online today. You can also give our Haddonfield or Woodbury offices a call at (856) 429-5005 to schedule your first appointment and learn more about our services.

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