Adoption creates a connection and joy that lasts for years; however, the adoption journey continues even when the legal papers have been signed. For the adoptee, going through identity, emotional well-being, and relationships requires continuous support throughout their lives. The adoptees are continuously faced with different unique challenges and they usually manifest at different stages…
What Sarah did when she picked up the adoption attorney’s fee estimate surprised everyone. The figure she saw on the paper—$4,500 for step-parent adoption—felt overwhelming. As a single mom who had just remarried, she dreamed of her new husband officially adopting her 8-year-old son, but step-parent adoption costs was overwhelming. Like many others in the…
You’ve been there through scraped knees, bedtime stories, and parent-teacher conferences. You’ve loved this child as your own, but legally, you’re still just “mom’s husband” or “dad’s wife.” The harsh reality hits when you can’t make emergency medical decisions, pick them up from school during a crisis, or claim them on your taxes. Suppose…