Just got a call from an old client. Their daughter is 13 and a star student &  athlete at her school. It is these calls that make my day. No matter what else happens today, knowing this teenager is doing  great is enough. I intend to kiss the wife and both dogs tonight with just a little more joy in my step.

Today the Supreme Court of the United States is hearing an ICWA case out of South Carolina.  The fate of a three year little girl rest with these nine jurists.  Does Veronica  stay with her biological father or return to her adoptive parents?  The SCOTUS decision is expected in June.

If you are interested in reading about Baby Veronica. Use your search engine and search for " Baby Veronica ICWA ." If you chose to reseach this case, please read both sides before you form an opinion about whose side is the correct side. 

The Indian Child Welfare Act is a Federal Law.  It...

March 5, 2013

Just ran into an old client. We recognized each other right away. Twenty-two years after the fact. It was great to catch up. Her daughter is going to medical school. Her son into the Marine Corps. It's such a rush to hear these positive stories of how well adopted children are doing.

Adoption is more than a career.

February 11

I heard of an interesting case out of New Jersey today. The New Jersey Supreme Court held that prenatal drug use by a mother was not a basis for finding child abuse or neglect.  There needs to be evidence that there is imminent danger to the child or actual evidence of harm to the child.

I hope this frees up more children for direct private placements adoptions without involvement by a social service department bent on fostering.

February 7

I read about two interesting cases recently. They are not both adoption cases but have implications to the adoption field.

The first one is EX PARTE HOPE ELISABETH ANKROM, an Alabama case dealing with the offense of chemical endangerment of a child. The Supreme Court held that " offense of chemical endangerment of a child , includes unborn children." it is my understanding the child lived 19 minutes.

With addiction being a problem in the adoption field , testing of birth mother candidates is extremely important. If the birth  mother tests positive are the lawyers...

Adoption Day in Los Angeles County, the best! I have three adoption finalizations set for this morning. Three very happy families. Adoption Finalization Day is an important day. Today all the stress is over.

The Judge usually asks me to do a card trick or two which makes adoption more Magical.

To all you adoptive parents out there, the Federal tax legislation allows for a tax credit for adoption expenses incurred in 2013.  The maximum tax credit is $12,970 Those with a modified adjusted gross income of $194,580 or less qualify for the full credit. The amount of the credit graduates downward to zero as incomes approach $234,580.

This will help to make  the magic that is adoption more affordable for more  prospective adopting families..

For more information about the adoption tax credit go to www.radis-adopt.com