More and more family law practitioners find themselves involved in adoption matters that implicate federal and international law.  This course, produced in cooperation with the American Academy of Adoption Lawyers (///A), is designed by experts in adoptions with international and federal issues. It will explain to the family law practitioner the key issues in representing clients involved in these often complex matters, identify “red flags”, identify referral points, and provide an introduction to an area that may generate deeper interest for the practitioner. The course will  include tax questions and other Federal statutory issues, explain the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC), legal aspects of assisted reproduction, international adoptions, and other trends including “Wrongful Adoption” liability, Disrupted Adoptions, and much more. Finally, the course will provide an hour of ethics CLE credit by addressing the common ethical dilemmas that arise in these thorny issues.

Major Subjects:

Tax issues pertaining to adoptions including the Adoption Tax Credit, the credit for special needs children, getting a SS# and claiming deductions for failed adoptions

Other Federal legislation that impacts adoption, including FBI checks, federal subsidies, and more.

Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children- (ICPC) discussion of the existing rules for placing children across state lines and discussion of proposed ICPC and the effects of the changes to current procedure.

Indian Child Welfare Act and how it affects state adoption processes: The current statute, proposed changes and the most recent case law.

International Adoptions now that The Hague Convention on Adoption is in place in the US. The rules, regulations, and impact of The Hague Convention on inter-country adoptions.

Paternity Registry and Paternity Fraud Issues concerning the ability to terminate biological parents’ rights within the bounds of due process and fairness while maintaining the policy of best interest of the child.

Same sex issues involved in adoption- survey of state laws concerning options for same sex couples.

Ethical considerations in representation of parties in the process, such as reasonable and necessary fees, issues related to different states’ rules and regulations in an interstate adoption. Other issues, including disrupted adoptions and re-placement issues.

Program Co-Chairs

Karen K. Greenberg, JD, Konowitz & Greenberg, P.C., Wellesley Hills, MA

Ellen A. Yarrell, JD, Ellen A. Yarrell, PC, Houston, TX

Confirmed Speakers:

David P. Broome, JD, Mobile, AL

Heidi Cox, JD, Fort Worth, TX

Stephen W. Hayes, JD, Grady, Hayes & Neary, LLC, Waukesha, WI

Mark T. McDermott, JD, The Law Office of Mark T. McDermott, Washington, DC

James B. Outman, JD, Claiborne, Outman & Surmay, PC, Atlanta, GA

Susan I. Paquet, JD, Fort Worth, TX

Irene Steffas, JD, Steffas & Associates, PC, Marietta, Georgia

Michael R. Voorhees, JD, Voorhees & Levy, LLC, Cincinnati, OH

Jenny L. Womack, JD, Palmer & Manuel, LLP, Dallas, TX