Dawn’s Blog

News, Updates and Resources for Legal Professionals and those who follow adoption law

A tweak to the federal adoption tax credit will put $5000 into some adoptive families’ pockets

The adoption tax credit is a lovely thing. It offers a direct financial benefit to families who adopt. The benefit is better for families who adopt special needs children. There is much written about the policy and mechanics of the federal adoption tax credit. It is...
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Publication on Missing Respondent Birth Parents Just Got Harder and More Expensive

Have a look at 2025 TN Public Chapter 500.   Basically, it requires that when we give notice by publication in a newspaper, we must also publish in a paid local online platform, where one exists. But the TN Press Association already has a free...
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Process Update: Report of Foreign Birth, what is it and what has changed?

A child adopted abroad by Tennessee parents may obtain a report of foreign birth from the Tennessee Department of Vital Records. That is not new. Note, immigration is top of mind just now, that a Tennessee adoption of a child born abroad requires proof of the child’s...
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The “First in Adoption” Bill is on the move!

How to follow it through the Legislature. The “First in Adoption” Bill (HB 1856 Carter/SB 1851 Haile) passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee last week and is scheduled for a hearing before the full house committee tomorrow, Tues. March 27, 2018 at 3:00 CST. If...

“First In Adoption” Bill Big Tennessee News!

The “First In Adoption” bill is moving in the TN Legislature. HB 1856 Rep. Mike Carter/ SB 1851 Sen. Ferrell Haile What it does: Creates one short and simple surrender form and relieves a number of related bureaucratic requirements; Refines elements to prove rounds...

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Future posts will include information on new and pending legislation, news, pointers and general information regarding adoption and foster care issues for attorneys, agencies, adoptive families and prospective adoptive families.  Thank you for visiting.

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