Child protective services (CPS) and foster care records are generally confidential and are not made public. Such records can include child identification information, information regarding the child’s biological family, condition reports on the child’s original...
Foster parents do receive a monthly stipend to cover the costs of child care, such as food, clothing, and other basic necessities. The payment structure for foster families varies depending on the payment rates established by their residing state, the age of the...
Are adoption records public? Adoption records are often sealed or only allow restricted or partial access in most states. However, there are exceptions, with some states having open adoption records. Can adoption records be sealed? Yes. Many states and courts seal...
The steps involved in adopting a child will vary from state to state, but here are the basic steps most states require. 1. Ensure you meet the basic requirements Prospective parents must: Meet basic requirements, such as age, state residency, and are financially...
The length of time varies based on the type of adoption and any adoption preferences, such as the child’s age, which can impact how long you’re on a waitlist. For instance, some adoptive parents wait for two or more years before being matched with a healthy infant....
The adoption process allows an adult to become the legal parent of a child who is not biologically their own. An adoptive parent accepts full custody and is legally responsible for the child’s support costs and obligations. As part of the process, the biological...
If possible, prepare a plan in advance for situations when the military parent is deployed or transferred. Establishing a set contingency plan can help reduce stress on all parties involved. In many states, a custodial parent who is deployed for military duty may ask...
An incarcerated parent can’t have custody of a child. Additionally, visitation rights may also be temporarily suspended. The court typically decides what happens with custody and visitation rights once the individual is released from jail. For instance, a judge may...
The safety and stability of the living situation are important considerations when judges make decisions about custody, especially physical custody. The judge needs to ensure that the child is in a safe environment. Browse more family law articles.
Courts will consider a history of domestic violence when deciding custody and visitation. Domestic violence can contribute to significant difficulties in communication between parents and raise safety issues for either a parent, the child, or both. These factors can...
