Archives for May 2025

Adopting Older Children

Adopting Older Children: What to Know

Adopting an older child can be one of the most rewarding things a family can do. These kids bring their own life stories, and many are strong and full of personality. They may have been through tough times, but with the right care, they can grow and thrive.

Why Older Children Wait Longer for Adoption

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 400,000 children are currently in foster care. Many of them are older than six. Sadly, older children often wait much longer to find a family. They might live in many different homes before someone adopts them. This can make it hard for them to feel safe and settled. But these kids still need and deserve a forever home.

What Makes It Hard

Adopting an older child comes with challenges. Many have faced trauma, neglect, or loss. These experiences can affect how they trust others or connect emotionally. Some children may act out or shut down at first. This is often because of fear or a lack of stability. They may need counseling, support at school, or routines to help them adjust.  With love, patience, and time, many children open up. They can learn to trust and build strong bonds.

Why It’s Worth It

Even with the challenges, many parents say adopting an older child is deeply fulfilling. These children often crave connection. They already have their own likes, dislikes, and personalities. Watching them grow, smile, and succeed brings real joy.  Every step forward—making a friend, doing well in school, or gaining confidence—is something to celebrate.

Getting Ready

Preparation is key. Parents should learn about trauma, mental health needs, and school supports. Knowing the child’s background helps you meet their needs.  A stable home with clear rules and open talk gives children what they need to succeed. Joining a support group or taking classes can also help.

Learning and Behavior

Some older adoptees struggle in school. They might need tutoring or help with behavior. They may also need time to get used to a new classroom or routine.

Parents should expect ups and downs. Structure, honest conversations, and therapy can make a big difference. Over time, most children make big strides with the right care.

Health and Emotions

Older children might have health problems or missing medical records. Seeing a doctor early on is important.

They may also struggle with who they are or how they see themselves. Talking about adoption, offering love, and letting them share their feelings helps them feel safe.

Culture and Identity

Many older kids come from different cultural backgrounds. Respecting their roots helps them feel proud and connected. Learn about their traditions, celebrate special holidays, and talk about their culture.

This shows that their past matters—and that they matter.

Legal Steps

Adoption is a legal process. It includes ending previous parental rights, court hearings, and paperwork. Older children may have more legal history, so working with a skilled lawyer is very important.

Handling the Paperwork

There’s a lot of paperwork—from home studies to court reports. A good attorney can help make sure everything is right and on time. Mistakes can cause delays, so legal help is key.

Long-Term Support Matters

Adoption doesn’t stop when papers are signed. Families need ongoing support. That can include peer groups, therapy, or parenting classes. These resources help families feel less alone and more prepared.

The more parents learn about trauma and child behavior, the better they can help their child grow.

Why Stability Counts

Research shows that stable, loving homes help adopted kids do better in life. They do better in school, make friends, and feel good about themselves. With time and care, they can heal and thrive.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If you’re thinking about adopting an older child, make sure you have legal support. It’s not just helpful—it’s necessary. A good lawyer can protect your rights and guide you every step of the way.

With over 25 years of experience, the Law Office of Cofsky & Zeidman, LLC has helped more than 1,500 families through adoption. Attorney Donald C. Cofsky and his team guide families through agency, private, stepparent, and international adoptions, as well as contested cases. Their support includes managing adoption expenses, completing home studies, and preparing families for court proceedings.

To learn how Cofsky & Zeidman can help your family, contact their office online or call (856) 429-5005 in Haddonfield, (856) 845-2555 in Woodbury, or (215) 563-2150 in Philadelphia. Legal confidence gives families peace of mind—so they can focus on what matters most: building a loving, lasting home.

Making Adoption Affordable: Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act

Adoption Expert | Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act

Adopting a child can change a family forever, but for many families in the United States, adoption is just too expensive. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars. That kind of money can stop good families from bringing a child into their home. To help with these costs, Congress created the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. However, there is a problem. Right now, the credit only helps families who owe income taxes. If you don’t owe much or any tax, you don’t get the full benefit. The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act wants to fix this.

What Is the Federal Adoption Tax Credit?

This tax credit helps families cover the cost of adoption. You can use it for court costs, lawyer fees, travel, and agency fees. In 2025, the credit will be worth $17,280 per child. That’s a big help, but there’s a catch. If a family doesn’t owe enough tax, they lose part of the credit and the money just disappears.

Why That’s a Problem

This rule hurts lower-income families the most. Imagine a family that adopts a child but doesn’t owe much tax. They can’t use the full credit. However, a higher income family that owes a lot of taxes can.

Families with lower incomes are more likely to adopt children from foster care. These are the kids who need homes the most. The credit should help these families just as much as anyone else. But right now, it doesn’t.

What the New Law Would Do

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act wants to make the credit “refundable.” That means you can get the full amount, even if you don’t owe any taxes. For example, if a family spends $10,000 to adopt a child, they would only get $10,000 back.  On the other hand, even if they don’t spend anything, but a child is deemed to have special needs, they would get the full amount of $17,280 even though they didn’t spend anything.  This would be a big help for many families. It would make sure the credit works for everyone who adopts a child, not just families with higher incomes.

Who Supports This Change?

Many groups support this new bill. The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys is one of them. They are experts in adoption law and know how hard the process can be. Other child-focused groups support it too.

Kids in foster care often wait a long time for a permanent home. They have been through a lot—loss, change, and pain. Making adoption easier helps them find love and stability.

Why It’s the Fair Thing to Do

The credit should help all adoptive families equally. Making it refundable makes the system fairer. It helps families who are doing something great—adopting a child—no matter how much money they make.

It also helps the country. Children adopted into stable families do better in life. They are more likely to be healthy and do well in school. Helping more families adopt can even save money on things like healthcare and social services.

Both Sides Agree

This bill has support from both Republicans and Democrats. Adoption is not a political issue. It’s a human issue. Everyone agrees that helping kids find loving homes is a good thing. That gives this bill a good chance of passing if Congress takes action.

It’s Time to Fix the Credit

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act is a simple but powerful fix. It doesn’t start a new program. It just makes an existing one work better. It would help more families afford adoption. And it would help more kids find permanent homes.

As lawmakers talk about tax laws and how to help families, they should make this a top priority. No family should miss out on help just because they don’t owe much tax. Let’s make adoption affordable for everyone.

It’s the right thing to do. Now, Congress needs to make it happen.