by Dawn Coppock | Jan 11, 2026 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents, General, News Events, Tax
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...
by Dawn Coppock | Aug 3, 2025 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents, Legislation, News Events
On May 19, 2025, a class action on behalf of 13 Tennessee foster children was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, alleging significant systemic failures,...
by Dawn Coppock | May 13, 2024 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents
At 6 months, the foster child’s relationship with foster parents becomes a “significant relationship,” so it has weight when compared with other nonparental, pre-removal relationships. At 9 months, the foster parents don’t just get notice of hearings regarding the...
by Dawn Coppock | Apr 4, 2024 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents
Adoption assistance is a program to assist adoptive families of special needs children. The program is state-administered with the majority of funding from the federal government and a state contribution as well. The benefits are usually a monthly stipend and health...
by Dawn Coppock | Mar 26, 2024 | Adoption, Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents, General, Legislation
Question: I understand that the waiting period for adoption, the time the child must live with the prospective adoptive family before the adoption can be finalized, has been reduced from 6 months to 3 months, correct? Answer: Not exactly. The waiting period is still 6...
by Dawn Coppock | Jul 13, 2023 | Attorneys & Courts, Foster Parents, Legislation
Effective July 1, 2023 Big addition to foster parent’s right to participate in hearings. T.C.A. § 37-2-415 (a)(17) – (Public Chapter 263)For some time, the court has been required to promptly notify foster parents of all court hearings regarding...
