There have been several articles in the newspapers and on television lately about something which has been given the name of “Re-Homing.”

Re-Homing is the placement of a child previously adopted by a family, with another family. The news articles dealt primarily with adoptive placements of children from foreign countries. Adopting families on some occasions have found that the child has significant issues, whether they are physical disabilities, developmental delays, or neurological and/or emotional problems, such that the family is not equipped to care for the child. Those families often find that any attempt to obtain aid or assistance from the state or federal government is rejected. With no where to turn yet being concerned about the best interest of the child, the families will sometimes post their situation on the internet, and invite other families to consider caring for the child.

In many cases the child ends up with a loving family who is able to deal with the issues presented, and the second family often adopts the child. What has been reported are the very few cases where the second family may not be an appropriate placement. The second family may not have had a home study performed and there is concern that the child may end up being abused.

Rather than dealing with this in a measured way, one state has passed legislation specifically banning this practice. This type of legislation does not solve the problems that these families face or that these children face. Rather, programs need to be developed to assist these families that sometimes are in crisis because of the condition of these children. Turning our backs on these families and children and preventing them from attempting to find other substitute families is far from the best solution.

Adoption Attorneys in New Jersey

At the law office of Cofsky & Zeidman, LLC, our lawyers bring more than 25 years of experience to every matter we handle. Attorney Donald C. Cofsky has personally handled more than 1,500 adoption proceedings since joining the bar in 1974. Attorney Bruce D. Zeidman has protected the interests of clients in state and federal courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 1984. We understand the challenges you face, and can help you identify all your options so that you can make good decisions that are in your best long-term interests.

Contact our office online or call us at (856) 429-5005 in Haddonfield, NJ, at (856) 429-5005 in Woodbury, NJ, or in Philadelphia, PA, at (856) 429-5005. We also provide a free initial consultation in personal injury and workers’ compensation matters.