Continued Decline in International Adoption Numbers in 2013

Here's an interesting report about the continued decline in international adoptions.

Celebrity adoptees . . .

Thought this was an interesting slide show . . .
http://celebs.allwomenstalk.com/celebrities-who-were-adopted-that-you-probably-didnt-know-of

Understanding the Federal Income Adoption Tax Credit

The subject of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit is complex (and ever-changing, it seems), but it appears that we have reached a little bit of a stasis. This is a great resource (here) for understanding the subject visit me at www.nedwilliams.com if you have questions.

"Second Best" in the eyes of the beholder?

Here's an encouraging and inspiring account--from author Karen Beattie (http://karenbeattie.net/blog/), of adoption through foster care. It will likely challenge your perspective of adoption through state foster care.

More on IRS targeting of adoption tax credit filers . . .

When you study the data (as attorney and author David French has) there is no justification for the IRS' zealous auditing of American families who have claimed the adoption tax credit . . . (more here).

Failed adoptions stir outrage . . .

This news story about WA adoptee Hana Williams is troubling . . . Failed adoptions stir outrage; reforms are elusive; however, I think it is ignorant or disingenuous to frame a discussion about adoptees who face abuse without the context of the high percentage of parenting "failures" (or abuses) that occur with non-adoptees.

And I must admit I am skeptical of the assertion by seemingly most of these critics that a new Federal program or subsidy is the answer.

This was an interesting statement from a Federal government official: "A lot of people say they have a heart for adoption. But you also have to have a head for it." [the Obama administration's point person on international adoptions] said. "You think love will solve everything. It doesn't." True, feelings of love aren't sufficient for an adoption; however, feelings of love--manifested in commitment and sacrifice and not measurable by dollars and cents, are essential for adoptions to work.

Embryo Frozen for 19 Years Adopted

Embryo Frozen for 19 Years Adopted Interesting to consider obligations and "opportunities" inherent in the process of creating life for IVF.

Wow. The IRS has been targeting Adoptive Families.

From what I see on a daily basis in my law practice--both in regard to the character of adoptive families and the character of many people who are in some way or another abusing tax policies or government assistance programs, this report is frustrating: The IRS Targets Adoptive Families.

Beauty of adoption couldn't lose at Super Bowl...

"[G]reatest blessing" of Kaepernick's life . . .

Great blog post/link at the SixSeeds Faith and Family Channel . . ."Adopted Quarterback Colin Kaepernick Says He Already Won" (click here).

Kaepernick's birth mother comes forward

Adoption in the news:
Interesting report (here) about the birth mother of adoptee Colin Kaepernick, the young sensation slated to start at QB for the San Francisco 49ers.

Though I am dubious about the birth mother's motives for "going public," I believe that Heidi Russo's account of her decision to place Kaepernick for adoption reflects courage and selflessness and maturity. I hope that Kaepernick isn't unduly keeping a distance from her.

Another article (here), in Sporting News, about Kaepernick's biological mother.

Russia's Orphans: Petty Putin's Pawns

More details about Putin's ban on Americans adopting Russian orphans. (Here)

What's in a name?

As an adoption attorney, I enjoy participating in the process of helping families grow. And as families add a new member, it is fascinating to observe the naming process, since most of my adoptions are of infants.

Of course, when it comes to a surname, or "last name," most people just roll with the punches, but I think some folks (pun not initially intended) fail to appreciate the implications of the name you choose for your child.

My perception is that most people don't want any input about the name they are going to choose for their child--even if they explicitly ask for input. Indeed, I have kind of followed the advice I received from close friends (from way back) that you should keep the name of your child a secret until it is unveiled, because the opinion of others won't affect whether you choose that name and because you don't want to give any ideas to others who might be naming a child before you are. So in the spirit of "why did you ask if you didn't want to hear my opinion," I present these intriguing articles I've come across over the years about what's in a name: The Name Pronunciation Effect h/t Freakonomics Do Uncommon Names Turn Kids Into Criminals? Happy baby naming!

Using orphaned children as political fodder

Russian dictator, er, President, Vladimir Putin has signed a law prohibiting adoption of Russian orphans by Americans (article here). It also appears that some adoptions which were already in process may not be allowed to go forward. The purported measures to make it easier for Russians to adopt the children are certainly welcome, but this politically-motivated prohibition is despicable.

Report on "closed" adoptions released . . .

Internet reveals secrets of 'closed' adoptions, report says

It's hard to keep secrets in the age of social media and the adoption world is no exception. Cadieux's story is just one that shows how the Internet is making it easier for birth relatives to find each other, hastening the end of the era of "closed" adoption, the nonprofit Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute said in a report released Thursday. Birth parents are seeking out their kids and adopted children are going online to find biological relatives, often without their adoptive parents' knowledge, according to the report, "Untangling the Web: The Internet's Transformative Impact on Adoption." Adam Pertman, executive director of the Adoption Institute, said he hopes the report will help shape policies and practices that harness the new technology while protecting vulnerable children and parents. "We hope this report will serve as a wake-up call that something historic is happening that demands the attention of legislators, practitioners, law-enforcement officials and the affected parties themselves," Pertman said.

Here's the PDF report . . .

International adoptions plummet globally | Fox News

The number of international adoptions has plummeted to its lowest point in 15 years, a steep decline attributed largely to crackdowns against baby-selling, a sputtering world economy and efforts by countries to place more children with domestic families.

Read more by clicking here.

Bubba Watson: Proud adoptive father . . . and Master's champion

Sweet expression of adoptive father's heart Bubba Watson Now Faces Task of Mastering Fame - ABC News:

Watson showed his emotions at the start of the week. Stopped under the oak tree after a practice round, someone asked him what it would mean to win, and he brought up the adoption of his first son, Caleb, two weeks ago. Watson got so choked up he walked away.
Winning the Masters? He was uncontrollable.

No comment . . .

No comment. Serial sperm donor reveals he’s a virgin

'Glee' plot fosters adoption fears . . .

'Glee' adoption plot sparks online petition - latimes.com Critics say:

. . . the show irresponsibly raises fear for adopted children that they can be taken away from their families, and that the plot also could cause confusion for families who adopt. She said the story line perpetuates one of the most pervasive and harmful myths about adoption: that a birth mother can take a child away from a family or pop back into the child's life.

Sadly, Hollywood is in the entertainment--not the education, business, so accuracy is not a priority.

Access to birth certificates in TN for adult adoptees

Here's a one-sided article ("Adult Adoptees Fight For Access to Original Birth Certificates" - ABC News) about mandating access to adoption files that were "sealed" at the time of the adoption. I say one-sided, because there are legitimate reasons to not overturn these laws--or standing "compacts" (if you will), between adoption agencies, birth parents and adoptive parents. The article only alludes to these reasons and seemingly attempts to dismiss any opposition with the sub-header, "Religious Groups Oppose Access to Original Birth Certificates" . . . you mean religious groups like the NJ Bar Association and the ACLU?

The New Jersey bill faces opposition from New Jersey Right to Life, the Catholic Church, the New Jersey Bar Association, the National Council for Adoption and even the ACLU, who defend the privacy rights of birth parents.

In any event, I was glad to see that Tennessee is listed as one of only 9 states where access to birth certificates is "broadly available."



For more information about adoption in Tennessee, please feel free to contact me through my website.