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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Adoption Agreement
This is for those of you who have been through the adoption courts already. I have to meet with my adoption lawyer shortly. What should I ask for in the adoption agreement? I'm afraid I won't specify something important only to have it come back on me. I found out one of the families in my daycare didn't specifically put in for daycare because they were told it's automatically paid until age 6. Now that the adoption is final, the state is refusing to pay because it's not in the agreement.

- We have good medical coverage but does she still get Medicaid? If her presciptions and co-pays could be covered, that would help alot.

- WIC told me she's eligible up until age 5. Does that have to be put in the agreement?

- How about the subsidy? She's eligible for that but do I specifically have to ask for it?

- Dental and orthodontal, is that normally covered?

- I don't expect any problems but should I ask for counseling, treatment centers, etc. to be covered just in case? Is this normal?

- Anything else I might not know of? I've read adoption books but I've never really seen this topic discussed.
13 Comments:
Blogger JUST A MOM said...
OK I ma a bit confused abotu yoru state or how you are doing this but here is our state adn adopting stuff,,


Our girls got documentations for probable need of braces the state put that in the agreement. Counsoling untill they are 18 or a high school grad. We contenut to get the subsity monthly untill 18 or a high school grad, WITH THE YEARLY RAISES. Health ,, they keep the health but we can only use ti IF we do NOT have our own.It will not cover co pays that ours does not cover. Glasses is covered yearly too.

I am suprised to see so many states not having these things set up. Good luck

Blogger Maggie said...
Yes! Get everything in there. My agency told me not to let a child move into my home until that was all straightened out. If she qualifies for subsidy make sure you put your request in there and specify that there needs to be yearly reviews. (In case he needs change for some reason and her DOC needs to be raised.)

Regarding Medicaid, you should be able to put her on your insurance as primary and Medicaid as secondary. In my state, there is potential financial college assistance for kids who are on Medicaid (though it could go away based on state budget any year). If there's such a program in your state, you definitely want to keep her on Medicaid at least as secondary coverage.

Blogger Yeah So said...
I"m sorry if this is a dumb question - but if the adoption is final, why do you still get all of that assistance?

Blogger Ahauna said...
Because she is black and over the age of 2, the state considers her as "hard to place" and that makes her eligible for a continued subsidy. Had she been white, the subsidy would have ended on adoption day. I think this is ridiculous. I have a link at home (I'm at work) that discusses subsidy for each state that I'll post.

Blogger Amanda said...
I'd ask for *everything* and assume nothing. In fact, don't let them tell you that anything is automatic. Get it in writing.

If we ever adopt, I plan to retain an attorney to do this part of it. The expenses for subsidy negotiation can be claimed on the adoption tax credit, so it's essentially free and you don't have to be the bad guy.

I always said when I adopted, I wouldn't use the "extras" given by the state after adoption. After all, they are MY daugthers. WRONG!!!! Use anything and everythign you can get. No, I woudln't get any assistance from the state if my girls were my biological daugthers, but I also wouldn't need it. Kids adopted through foster care tend to have more medical, emotional, etc. needs. We wouldn't be able to afford health insurance for our girls through our employers. We use the Medicaid. It is given to us and we use it. Although, I'd love to know what state does yearly raises. Our amount hasn't changed at all. We adopted our girls two years ago (Saturday the 30th will be 2 years) adnd its the same as it was two years ago.

Good luck!!!!!

Blogger JUST A MOM said...
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BLACK OR WHITE OR MEXICAN!!!!! In my state it is due to you helping out the state and taking care of the children who have been removed form their birth home. I am sorry but that black statement upsets me. I truley wish all states helped out with the children who have been taken in by LOVING UNCONDITIONAL PARENTS!

Blogger Ahauna said...
Just a mom, I agree but that's what my state does. I think it's bs too that my daughter is considered "harder to place" just because of the color of her skin. Parents who adopt white kids in my state need the subsidy just as much as I do. I think it's absolutely ridiculous.

Blogger Tamara said...
In my state (KY) you can't get WIC after an adoption. You have to put your child on your private insurance, but get to also keep the medical card (you get it in her new name) that covers anything our private insurance does not. Our adoption subsidy, BTW, just increased this year by $3 a day - more blessings upon blessings.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Not to be a pain, but I do remember you almost not taking A because she was black. It is true that there are less families out there willing to take children of color.

Blogger Ahauna said...
Um, I think your memory is faulty. It was never an issue. Could you possible clarify what you're talking about?

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I apologize. It was the possible mental illness that scared you. it must have been someone else I read that had a color issue.

I am so sorry.

Blogger Ahauna said...
No problem. :)