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>> About FAC > Mission Statement > Board of Directors > Legislative Support >> Additional Resources >> Frequently Asked Questions >> Member Directory >> Apply for Membership >> Back to Homepage	Some commonly asked questions regarding the adoption process in the State of Florida What is a home study? What information will I have on the birth parents? What information will the birth parents have about me? What tests will be run on the birth mother? What tests will be run on the baby? What kind of contact will we have with the birth parents? What should we say -- or not say -- when communicating with the birth parents? Will the birth mother receive counseling? How and when will we know the baby is born? Will I receive a refund of living expenses if the birth mother does not place? When will the consent for adoption be signed? Can a birth parent change his/her mind once a consent for adoption is signed? What rights do birth fathers have? Can birth mothers receive living expenses? Will my insurance cover the baby? What is post-placement supervision? When will my adoption be finalized? Where can I obtain a birth certificate? Where can I obtain a Social Security card? Is there a tax credit for adoption? How and when can I take the dependency deduction? Is the earned income credit and child tax credit available for adopted children? Should I update my will? How much does adoption cost? What is the Indian Child Welfare Act? What Is the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children? How does the Interstate Compact work? What are the ICPC Safeguards? What time is needed to process ICPC? Are there age, marital, religious or other restrictions? Will adoption professionals work with military families? Will adoption professionals work with out-of-state families? Disclaimer: The information provided above is an overview of Florida's adoption law effective June 2, 2003. It is a brief introduction to a complex topic. This is not a complete dissertation of the law, is not tailored to a specific case, and you should not rely on this document. Moreover, the adoption law is new and untested; therefore, this information may change as the courts interpret the law. When you have specific questions regarding your particular adoptive placement, please address them with your adoption professional.	Once the adoption process is complete and you have welcomed your son or daughter home, take a few minutes to let it all sink in, and then make an appointment with your attorney to revise your Last Will and Testament. Having an up-to-date Will is important for all of your children whether they came to you through birth or adoption. There are many reasons why parents should have a current Will. The two most important reasons involve naming your children as beneficiaries of your estate and appointing their guardians. Although most states treat adopted children the same as birthchildren, it is best to specifically identify your adopted child(ren) as a beneficiary of your estate. The second reason has to do with appointing a guardian of the child and a conservator of the child's property. A Will is the only place you can make these designations. If you fail to designate someone to act in these capacities, the Court will make the determination for you.

	Executive Office • 418 W. Platt Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 • Ph. (813) 258-3355 • Fax (813) 258-3373
	State Capitol Office • P.O. Box 10728, Tallahassee, FL 32312 • Ph. (850) 577-3077

>> About FAC

> Mission Statement

> Board of Directors

> Legislative Support

>> Additional Resources

>> Frequently Asked Questions

>> Member Directory

>> Apply for Membership

>> Back to Homepage

Some commonly asked questions
regarding the adoption process in the State of Florida

What is a home study?
What information will I have on the birth parents?
What information will the birth parents have about me?
What tests will be run on the birth mother?
What tests will be run on the baby?
What kind of contact will we have with the birth parents?
What should we say -- or not say -- when communicating with the birth parents?
Will the birth mother receive counseling?
How and when will we know the baby is born?
Will I receive a refund of living expenses if the birth mother does not place?
When will the consent for adoption be signed?
Can a birth parent change his/her mind once a consent for adoption is signed?
What rights do birth fathers have?
Can birth mothers receive living expenses?
Will my insurance cover the baby?
What is post-placement supervision?
When will my adoption be finalized?
Where can I obtain a birth certificate?
Where can I obtain a Social Security card?
Is there a tax credit for adoption?
How and when can I take the dependency deduction?
Is the earned income credit and child tax credit available for adopted children?
Should I update my will?
How much does adoption cost?
What is the Indian Child Welfare Act?
What Is the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children?
How does the Interstate Compact work?
What are the ICPC Safeguards?
What time is needed to process ICPC?
Are there age, marital, religious or other restrictions?
Will adoption professionals work with military families?
Will adoption professionals work with out-of-state families?

Disclaimer: The information provided above is an overview of Florida's adoption law effective June 2, 2003. It is a brief introduction to a complex topic. This is not a complete dissertation of the law, is not tailored to a specific case, and you should not rely on this document. Moreover, the adoption law is new and untested; therefore, this information may change as the courts interpret the law. When you have specific questions regarding your particular adoptive placement, please address them with your adoption professional.

Once the adoption process is complete and you have welcomed your son or daughter home, take a few minutes to let it all sink in, and then make an appointment with your attorney to revise your Last Will and Testament. Having an up-to-date Will is important for all of your children whether they came to you through birth or adoption. There are many reasons why parents should have a current Will. The two most important reasons involve naming your children as beneficiaries of your estate and appointing their guardians.
Although most states treat adopted children the same as birthchildren, it is best to specifically identify your adopted child(ren) as a beneficiary of your estate. The second reason has to do with appointing a guardian of the child and a conservator of the child's property. A Will is the only place you can make these designations. If you fail to designate someone to act in these capacities, the Court will make the determination for you.

Executive Office • 418 W. Platt Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 • Ph. (813) 258-3355 • Fax (813) 258-3373

State Capitol Office • P.O. Box 10728, Tallahassee, FL 32312 • Ph. (850) 577-3077