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The ABCs of Adoption: What Family Law Pract. Need To Know

- Location -
Concierge Conference Center
780 Third Avenue (at 48th Street)
New York, NY 10017
(212) 735-0072

9:00 a.m. - 4:40 p.m.

7.5 MCLE Credits: 6.5 Professional Practice; 1.0 Ethics

This program has been developed to provide Family Law practitioners with specific detailed information regarding particular aspects of law which impact both adoption and child welfare cases. The information will assist attorneys in better representing their clients, especially where such cases intersect.

This program is appropriate also for caseworkers and social workers who wish to learn more about adoption practices.

Program Agenda                                                                               

8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Registration

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.   International Adoptions                                 

1. General Requirements
2. Processing BCIS approvals for Hague countries and Non-Hague countries
3. Humanitarian parole issues
4. Re-adoption in the U.S.
5. Outgoing adoptions

10:15 – 10:40 a.m.  ICPC – Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. The ICPC is a contract among member states and U.S. territories authorizing them to work together to ensure that children who are placed across state lines for foster care or adoption receive adequate protection and support services.

1. What is ICPC?
2. How does it apply to adoptions and foster care?
3. Complying with ICPC – what is required in NY?
4. Consequences for failure to comply

10:40 – 10:55 a.m. Refreshment Break

10:55 – 11:20 a.m. Home Study – Home studies are required for nearly all adoptions.

1. Statutory requirements, issues considered
2. Who can perform a home study?
3. When and how is it completed?
4. Preparing your client for a home study

11:20 a.m. -12:20 p.m.   ICWA – The Indian Child Welfare Act. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which was adopted by Congress in 1978, applies to child custody and adoption proceedings in state courts involving “Indian” children – children of Native American ancestry or Alaskan ancestry. In certain situations, the tribe may overrule parental preferences.

1. Overview of ICWA
2. When does it apply?
3. Exceptions
4. Recent case law developments

12:20 – 1:20 p.m.   Lunch (on your own)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m.     Post Adoption Contact Agreements/Open Adoptions – Many adoptions are “open”. Since 2005 the agreements between birth parents and adoptive parents may be enforceable.

1. Statutory requirements
2. Recent case law
3. Negotiation
4. Practical consideration

2:10 – 3:00 p.m.     Subsidies – Many adoptive children are eligible for State and Federally sponsored subsidies to encourage placement of children in permanent homes.

1. Source of subsidies
2. Types of subsidies
3. Application and approval process
4. Appeals for denials
5. Impact of disruption of adoption

3:00 – 3:10 p.m.                            Refreshment Break

3:10 – 4:00               ARTS/Surrogacy – Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Legal representation includes working with traditional surrogates, gestational carriers, and intended parents, and drafting agreements to protect a client’s rights in this complex and developing area of practice.

1. Current law
2. Recent developments
3. Medical issues
4. Upcoming legislation

4:50 – 5:00      Questions

5:00 p.m.         Adjournment

Program Faculty

New this Year: All program materials will be distributed exclusively online in searchable PDF format, allowing attendees more flexibility in storing this information and allowing you to copy and paste relevant portions of the materials for specific use in your practice.  A CLE NotePad © (paper) will be provided to all attendees at the live program site.  The CLE NotePad © includes lined pages for taking notes on each topic, as well as any PowerPoint presentations submitted prior to printing. Traditional printed course books can be ordered at the program site for the discounted price of $20.00 and will be shipped subsequent to the program date.

Directions

Between 48th and 49th Street Using Public Transit: Take the 4, 5, 6, S Subway to Grand Central Station Walk one block East to Third Ave, continue North on Third Ave to 48th Street Take the E, V Subway to Lexington Ave/53rd Street. Walk one block East to Third Ave, continue South to 49th Street

The last day to pre-register online was November 14, 2012.

Members, please login to get member discounts.

Seminar
NYC-Registration	$165.00

Seminar
NYC-Registration	$265.00

Seminar
NYC-Registration	$60.00

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Cindy O'Brien at 800-582-2452 or cobrien@nysba.org.