Fostering a child can be a beautiful experience. Adopting a foster child can give both the parents and the child a complete family. However, any kind of adoption, including a foster adoption, has legal implications. There are many steps that one has to follow while adopting a foster child. This article attempts to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the procedures involved in adopting foster children: Will children adopted by foster parents be considered dependants for tax purposes? A child may have to fulfill may criteria to be considered a dependant. Some of these are age of the child, relationship and the length of the child’s stay with the family and more. The child may be claimed as a dependent while filing taxes if the child has stayed with the family for more than 6 months in a year, and the parent has paid for a minimum of 50% of the child’s expenses and no one else claims the child as a dependant in their tax return. Can a child who is in foster care be legally adopted by its grandparents? Many adoption agencies may prefer it if the child were to be placed with his/her own family. Hence, many times grandparents may be allowed to legally adopt their grandchildren who are in foster care. It is always the best interest of the child that is considered while taking such decisions about the child's adoption. A foster parent wants to adopt an 8 month old baby but the cousin of the child has requested to foster the baby. Can the foster parent do anything to avoid this from happening? Most of the times, the state would prefer to keep the child with its biological family because that's deemed to be best for the child. However, the first priority will be the welfare of the child and its best interest. Exceptions may be made if the family member is considered to be a threat to the child or cannot look after the child. One wants to adopt his/her nephew who is in foster care. Would a home study be required before such an adoption can take place? There are many reasons why home studies are conducted before an adoption. The most important reason for a home study is to make sure that the environment in which the child is going is safe for the child. The best interest of the child is ensured through these home studies. They may be conducted by social services for all prospective adoptions regardless of the circumstances. Parents not only get joy by adopting and caring for a child but the child may also get a good upbringing by being part of a loving and caring family. However, one must know what legal issues one may face when one opts for foster adoption. The situations may vary depending on individual circumstances. The laws may also be different from place to place. One may ask a family lawyer if one needs help in understanding foster adoption laws.
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