By Mandy Fain

The first thing to consider once you have decided to adopt a child is what type of adoption you want to go for. Do you want a domestic adoption (adopting a child in your home country) or an international adoption? Do you want to work through a private adoption agency, a public agency or work independently? Take some time to consider your various options and determine what is going to work for you. For the rest of this article however we are going to focus on domestic adoptions through an agency.

Once you have decided on a domestic adoption through an agency the next step will be to contact a few agencies in your area. If they have orientation nights then go to these and get to know the agencies. The orientation nights and visits or calls to the adoption agencies should be able to further inform you about the adoption process and where you will feel most comfortable. Once you have got to know them then decide which one you want to work with.

Once you have decided on the agency you are going to work with you will need to fill in an application form and probably pay a fee to join. After this there will be a number of interviews with social workers or counselors, a home study to check whether your home is suitable for the child and also to help you prepare for a new child in the home, as well as a number of other checks including medical checks and criminal record checks. Although the adoption process is quite involved and can take up quite some time this process is important to ensure the best for you, the adopted child and to ensure the birthparents, if any, that their child is being raised in a safe, loving home.

A number of different factors will determine how long you need to wait for a child including the race of the child, whether you have chosen international or domestic adoption and the age of the child you want to adopt. You should speak to the adoption agency you are working with to find out roughly how long the adoption process will take and how long you can expect to wait for a child.

The legal processes involved also vary depending on your home country, and whether you are going for domestic or international adoption. When you are speaking to your adoption agency find out from them what is going to be required in terms of legal processes, visits to court, etc.

In conclusion, the adoption process can be a fairly lengthy process, although the exact length of it will depend on a number of factors. The first thing involved is to decide what type of adoption you want to go for and then to choose an adoption agency which provides these services. Once you have given your application and fee to an adoption agency you will start the process of interviews, home studies, and checks. Legal requirements will also vary depending on your home country as well as the type of adoption you are going for and you should discuss these with your adoption agency.

You can also find more information at infant adoption and foster child adoption. ChildAdoptionGuide.org is a comprehensive resource to help couples with the adoption process.

By Annecy Ashburn

If you are fully committed to the decision to adopt, then you already have the most essential factor to gaining custody of a child. Moreover, if you can provide for the basic needs of a child as well as give him a nurturing environment then you may adopt. Here are some factors that will help you know who is qualified to adopt:

- Single individuals who are 21 years old and above - Married couples who are childless or who have other children - The emotional and physical well-being of potential adoptive parents is also taken into consideration

* I am single, can I adopt?

Yes. Even though you are single you have the option to adopt if you wish, given that you are 21 years old and above.

Commitment is the essential factor that most agencies are looking for in adoptive parents. A caring environment is necessary to ensure that the adopted child will grow into a productive adult.

* Is a special needs adoption the right choice for me?

If you are the type of person who is patient, has ample time to give the needs of a special child as well as shower him with the love he needs, then adopting a child with special needs may be for you. Emotional stability is needed to hurdle the many trials you will face with the decision to adopt a child with special needs.

Additionally, being financially and physically strong can be helpful in overcoming the challenge of being an adoptive parent to a child with special needs.

* Should I do international or domestic adoption?

There are numerous factors for you to consider before jumping into the decision to choose either international or domestic adoption. Such factors are:

- Travel. Once you decide to adopt internationally, you are required to personally pick up the child from his or her country. Normally you are required to stay for a week. There are times that the length of stay for adoptive parents can be up to three weeks.

On the other hand, adopting a child within your state will not require you extensive and intercontinental travels.

- Expenses. Surveys show that international adoption is the most expensive type of adoption since there are many documents to prepare as well as fees to pay. On the other hand, opting for a domestic adoption is not as costly as international adoption. There are times when domestic adoption can be free of charge. Each case is individual.

- Adoption Training. It is recommended for domestic adoption to attend trainings and seminars before gaining custody of a child. While international adoptions do not normally have required training.

* What are some legal issues in adoption?

Legal issues in adoption differ from one state to another or from one country to another. It also depends on the type of adoption from which you will be choosing. Hence, if you plan to adopt, it is recommended that you research and be familiar with the existing laws and regulations on adoption in your area.

* How can the Internet help me in adopting a child?

The Internet is a good venue for you to adopt a child. Most adoption websites will help you get through the adoption process. Here are some common factors you may encounter via the Internet when adopting a child:

- Initial process of adopting a child - the things you need to know to start the process - Information on the selection process and post-adoption process - Wide selections of adoption institutions - Support groups - Photos of children waiting to be adopted

Annecy Ashburn is a regular contributor to adoption and infertility-related resources such as Adoption Questions and Answers. Website: http://www.AdoptionQA.com

By Heather Colman

Adoption occurs when a person takes full parental custody of a child that is not naturally theirs. The natural parent(s) give the adoptive parents full rights and responsibilities of the child(ren) and relinquishes all rights of their own. There are a variety of circumstances that may have occurred and the child was placed for adoption either privately or through an agency. A natural parent may wish to give their child a better life than what they feel they can provide them. The death of the natural parent(s) may also create the need for adoption either by family members or by an adoptive parent.

Whatever the reason for the adoption, the adoptee becomes the legal child of the adoptive parents. There is no real difference between a child who lives with his or her biological parents or with adoptive parents. When adoption occurs the adoptive parents assumes all rights and responsibilities when it comes to the care and well-being of the child(ren)

Why do people adopt?

The reasons people choose adoption vary a great deal. Some people may choose to adopt because they cannot conceive a child of their own with either natural or medical methods. This is probably the most common reason that a couple chooses to adopt a child. Some older couples will seek adoption after their own natural children have left home because they loved raising children and want to help another child. Couples that are gay or lesbian also choose adoption because having their own child naturally is not a possibility, yet they long to have a child and raise them together in a loving environment.

Another reason many people choose to adopt is out of the goodness of their own hearts. Many people who have children or have the ability to have children naturally still seek adoption because there is such a need for adoptive parents in the world.

What are the different practices of adoption?

There are three general categories of adoption, private adoption, public adoption and international adoption. Private adoption occurs when the natural parent decides to place their child up for adoption, however, they want the choice of who the adoptive parents are. Typically, the adoptive parents place an advertisement and the natural parent will respond. This type of adoption generally includes the adoptive parents taking care of all costs and possibly the medical costs associated with the birth of the child.

A public adoption is performed through an agency. In general, older children and those with disabilities are placed with a public adoption agency. These children very often have some emotional, physical, or mental disorders that will need attention.

An international adoption takes place outside of the country where the adoptive parents live. Many people are choosing this type of adoption more and more. While it is a little more expensive and requires a lot of extra work, the adoption of an international child is a loving choice. Many of these children do not have enough food to eat, medical attention or families for one reason or another.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Find more adoption resources at adoption-press.info

By Romain Levesque

Can you see this child as a part of your life long into the future?To achieve you and your social worker should examine the strengths and needs of your family,and community,Evaluate the impact of adding this particular child to your family on a permanent basis.This is what making and informed decision is all about. Hopefully, the agency you are dealing with ,will walk you through the process of evaluating the strengths and needs of the child, and your family.To decide if permanent placement with your family,is in all of your best interests. If you do decide to adopt your foster child,become aware of the large adoptive parent, and professional support networks that exist.You will definately not be alone.There are adoptive family support groups all over the U.S. that provide forums for discussion,friendship,and mutual assistance.Adoption conferences either locally or regionally,and also nationally,offer additional learning opportunities.Literature exists on all relevant topics of adoption from foster care.

The author of this article is Romain Levesque owner of the website http://www.adoption.findurfuture.com A website designed to help people that are interested in adoption get started. You may reprint this article on your website for content as long as the resource box with the link stays intact.

By Stephen Morgan

If your reason for adopting a child, anywhere, is to rescue him or her, this is not a good enough reason. If you are adopting a child to save your marriage, know that it usually only compounds the marital problems. If you are interested in adopting a child that has a certain IQ or learning capacity, no adoption is not for you.

But if you have a warm and mature love for children and have the desire and flexibility to love, accept, and raise a child not born to you, international child adoption could be you. If you are interested in making a family, which would include an infant, toddler, or alder child, then international adoption is a viable option. If you are interested in giving a future to a child who otherwise might not have one, international adoption could be for you.

If you think international adoption is hard or near impossible, just think of this: close to ten thousand children born outside of the United States are adopted each year by U.S. families. The annual number has been relatively stable for years, hovering between 9,800 and 11,500 adoptions.

That number will rise and while it wont skyrocket, international adoption will continue to grow - slowly - and become more common. Its not as difficult to do as it used to be; more countries now have the mechanism to place abandoned children with families that want them, and our increasingly diverse society is more receptive to children who are from different countries.

Orphanages worldwide are filled with children who need parents. There are at least 700,000 in orphanages in former Communist countries that need adoptive families. These figures do not include the enormous numbers of children in Asian or Latin American orphanages.

There is a tremendous need for International adoptions and whilst it may not be the panacea for all child welfare needs it certainly does assist on a great number of instances.

Hopefully the increased and raised profile International Adoption has had recently through the current set of adoptions by the Rich and Famous will have some positive effect and keep this much needed aspect of Social Child welfare in the public eye.

Stephen Morgan writes regularly on social matters and is editor of http://www.adoptionusa.info, http://www.internationaladoptioninformation.com and http://www.internationaladoptionusa.info

By Wade Robins

Out of the country adoption is the in thing right now because of the fact that well-known people are doing it. The dispute about taking a child from one country to another is ongoing.

You might not find the amount to adopt that is necessary because of the high counts of children and infants needing a home through the world. The new technologies are making better ways for parents to conceive their own children. Any child with a special need is not easy to put into a home. When the child becomes a teenager, the placement becomes harder.

The majority of people wants an infant and thus is the cause for the need of infants. The want of the parents to raise the child goes beyond the ties of being a birth child. Being able to bond with that child is just like giving birth. Adopting an infant needs the same attention to murmuring as if they had this baby biologically. Many parents take the child into the family immediately

The amount of agencies that are working with adoptions is higher and the need for one that has a good reputation is essential for you. The support of those around you is also needed. The patience and time will be tried. This choice will make a difference in the lives of all involved in the process.

The part of the process for you to decide if you are going to inform the child of being adopted will eventually arise. Many parents go with the truth and start out at a young age telling the child so they will be able to understand. Infant adoption means that the responsibility is held by the parents until the right time to tell them. It is a chance to give the child a special place because of the choice that you made when you were seeking a child. You chose them. The child may choose to find their birth parents and will need you to be understanding about it. The first meeting might be a joyous one or an angry one. It makes no difference why the child was given up it will be awkward.

You can also find more info on adoption infant and International Adoption.ChildAdoptionGuide.org is a comprehensive resource to help couples with the adoption process.

By Michael Russell

But when a middle class, hard working, law abiding couple wants to adopt a child they have to jump through more hoops than a clown at a three ring circus. He wonders why.

In this article well try to explain some of the problems and red tape associated with a couple trying to adopt a child.

For starters, adoption law varies from state to state. Yes, there are laws, and depending on where you live those laws can be quite different but there are some laws that are pretty common across the board. There is the Consent to Adoption. This consent refers to the agreement by a parent, or a person or agency acting in place of a parent, to relinquish the child for adoption and to release all rights and duties with respect to that child. In other words before you can adopt the child the birth parent or agency in charge, if the birth parents are dead, has to give consent for the adoption to take place.

Then there is the parties to adoption. In order for an adoption to take place, a person available to be adopted must be placed in the home of a person or persons eligible to adopt. All States, the District of Columbia, and the US territories Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands have laws that specify which persons are eligible as adopting parents, and which persons can be adopted. In other words they decide whether or not they think the adoptive parents are fit and this varies from state to state.

So who CAN adopt? Generally speaking anyone over the age of 18 but in some states 21 and still in others the minimum age is 25. Again, this is all state regulated. There are some states that allow minors to adopt under certain circumstances but this is very rare. In some states the adopting parents must be at least 10 years older than the child. So if you want to adopt a 15 year old boy you have to be at least 25 years of age. Then there is the residency question. Most states require that you be living at your current residence for at least 60 days.

So who can BE adopted? Generally, anyone under the age of 18. Of course depending on the state there are some additional requirements. For example, in some states the child has to be living in that state at the time of the adoption. So if you wanted to adopt someone from overseas you wouldnt be able to. In some states this extends further to the child having to be a resident for a certain length of time. Some states do allow the adoption of a person regardless of age but this is very rare.

Then there is the question of WHO can place a child for adoption. This is usually the birth parent or parents unless both are dead and then it is the agency to which custody of the child was appointed.

But this gets even more complicated. What if the birth mother and father are not married and the mother wants to put the child up for adoption but the father does not? This becomes an extremely messy situation. First there is the court battle between the mother and father to determine who gets the say in the matter. In most cases unless the mother is proven unfit the right to place the child up for adoption is granted. If not, however, then a determination has to be made as to whether or not the father is given custody of the child. We are assuming at this point that since he was against the adoption that he will want to keep the child, but he is in no way legally obligated to do this and can put the child up for adoption at a later date.

Then there are the adoption fees. In most states the adoptive parents have to pay these fees and they can be enormous, going into the tens of thousands of dollars. My associate thinks this is absurd. The parents dont want the child but its the adoptive parents who have to pay to get the child even though the child isnt wanted. Some would say that is hard logic to argue with. As you can see, adoption is not simple. Add to all the above that the adoption process can be a very lengthy one, sometimes taking years, it makes you wonder why anyone would go through the trouble. For that matter why would someone have to when there are so many unwanted children in the world?

It gives you something to think about.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to African Safaris

By Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW Effects of Exposure to Domestic Violence From Childhood to Adult Life

One of the many problems for children exposed to domestic violence, is that for some, it comes to be included amongst their own interpersonal management strategies.

Children exposed to domestic violence learn the use of violence as a strategy to mediate their needs and wants. They see the violence between their parents and how in many cases the violence advances the preferred outcome of the aggressor.

The violence comes in many forms visible to children. It may be through verbally abusive and demeaning language. It could be verbal threats of violence or physical gestures to intimate violence and thus intimidate. The violence may include throwing of objects and destruction of objects and in more extreme forms, it can include physical assault ranging from pushing, shoving and slapping to punching, kicking and strangulation. In the most physically dangerous of forms the violence can include the use of weapons. In so many cases, the violence is meant to assert one's will over the will of another.

There tends to be gender differences with regard to children exposed to domestic violence. Boys are at greater risk of learning that violence gets them what they want. Further, while relying on violence, there tends to be less reliance on verbal skills and hence these same boys are at risk of inadequate verbal relational skills such as dialogue and discussion to mediate their needs. Girls are at risk of learning that violence is normal and as a result can be more apt to accept violence within their relationships.

In terms of child and adult development then, childhood exposure to violence can rear its head in several ways. Within the school settings, both boys and girls may be apt to use violence to get their way. Boys tend to use overt violent behaviour such as bullying, intimidation and physical aggression whereas girls tend to use more covert behaviour such as excluding others from their group and malicious gossip. Within adult life, men exposed to domestic violence in childhood are more apt to use violence in intimate relationships than other men who were not exposed to domestic violence in childhood. Similarly, women who as children were exposed to domestic violence are more apt to tolerate violence from intimate partners.

For both men and women exposed to domestic violence in childhood, there is also a concern of desensitization when it comes to recognizing domestic violence in adulthood. In other words, they may only recognize certain behaviour as violent when it reaches a threshold near their childhood experience. This means that while they may resist or object to violent behaviour as experienced in childhood, they still may engage in, and/or tolerate violent behaviour, not recognizing it as such, because it is less than experienced when young. The problem here is that no amount of violence is acceptable and all violence carries consequences. So even if the adult domestic violence is less than experienced in childhood, intimate relationships will still be problematic and exposure to the children will still be problematic.

If you were exposed to domestic violence in childhood, consider discussing your experience with a counsellor knowledgeable in these matters. In discussing your childhood experiences it could be further helpful to explore current relationships and strategies for getting along and resolving differences. Exposure to domestic violence from childhood can have long-reaching consequences to adulthood. Hence we look to protect children in the present from such exposure to limit risks of their direct and immediate harm as well as their future intimate life.
Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW www.yoursocialworker.com
(905) 628-4847
gary@yoursocialworker.com
www.yoursocialworker.com

Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert on child development, parent-child relations, marital and family therapy, custody and access recommendations, social work and an expert for the purpose of giving a critique on a Section 112 (social work) report. Call him for your next conference and for expert opinion on family matters. Services include counselling, mediation, assessment, assessment critiques and workshops.

Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert on child development, parent-child relations, marital and family therapy, custody and access recommendations, social work and an expert for the purpose of giving a critique on a Section 112 (social work) report.

By Robert Thatcher

Well perhaps 'happily every after' is subjective and means something different to different people. But whatever happens after you ride off into the sunset and disappear into the horizon, your married life will eventually have to make room for the little pitter patter of tiny feet. Right?

The next day

Well there are quite a few married couples who realize that for one reason or another, they cannot bear children together. Some married couples try for years to get pregnant, try all the fertility treatments (mainstream and alternative) and still come up empty handed.

There are also some married couples who either married too late or waited too long so they reach the stage of past child-bearing age and suddenly, they feel they want a child. Then there are still some couples who have their own children and yet they feel the need to spread their joy and love further to other children still.

How ever different these three scenarios are, there may come a point in their lives when they will come across the life altering question they need to ask themselves, 'Am I ready to adopt a child?'

The scarlet letter

Child adoption is a big step in a married couples lives and may be one of the biggest decisions they will have to make together that have a long lasting impact in their lives. Having children is a big responsibility in itself and child adoption brings with it its own set of sensitivities.

For all the right reasons

If you a childless married couple who have come to the end of their ropes in the hopes of conceiving, please take into consideration that child adoption isnt necessarily the answer to your problem. Continued unsuccessful attempts at trying conceive can greatly strain a married couples relationship and it can test even the strongest of the strong.

At the point where you seem desperately grasping at straws, you might think of adopting a child to keep the marriage together. But think it through thoroughly because you are bringing in a new life into yours and it wouldnt be fair to adopt under these circumstances. Remember, adopting a child doesnt mean that all your problems will be solved. Adding a new member to your already chaotic relationship may even result in more harm than good.

By Morgan Hamilton

They told me that they had a great deal of concerns about looking to adopt a child from our own country. This is probably due to the horror stories about the birth parents who return to take their child back years later. Those instances do exist, although they are very rare. They dont even want to think about dealing with those situations.

They attended some seminars about international adoptions and met with an adoption agency to prepare for the possible adoption. It is not as easy to adopt a child from another country as one would imagine. For instance, it can end up costing even more money than an adoption in the US. There are also a few more restrictions and concerns that you need to deal with if you want to adopt internationally.

My best friends husbands company would give aid in adoption fees that amounted to about $2,000. However, it would not be enough to cover the expensive costs and legal fees. Thats just the way it works, even if it doesnt seem fair that adopting a child would cost so much money. In my opinion, giving a child a safe and loving home shouldnt cost a small fortune.

They were looking into getting a home equity loan just to be able to adopt a child. Fortunately, the bank was willing to bend over backwards to get them that money, so they were able to begin the international adoption process. They learned about some of the strange requirements that some countries require for international adoption along the paths of their research. For instance, it turned out that China has some strict guidelines that they didnt meet. That means, adopting a child from China was not an option for them.

They finally decided that they wanted to be foster parents first and hoped to adopt from that experience, after a year of research and exhaustion. The fees are almost nonexistent once you decide to adopt a child that was in foster care. The process is a lot less painless so they decided that this would be a good option. They managed to adopt a child through a foster program after about a year.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Adopt a Child. Visit our site for more helpful information about Adopt a Child and other similar topics.

By Joe Goertz

There are two sides to adoption, one being from the mothers side of the view and the other being the expectant couple wanting to have a child to love and nurture. There are issues that affect both of sides of the coin and there are many considerations that need to be made. None the less, there are times when adoption is the only option that seems feasible but one must be making a staunch and somewhat difficult decision to make it happen.

From the pregnant mothers point of view there are many things that could be going on. The first being that the pregnancy is rather unexpected. This is common with the people who are not married and an affair of this nature can lead to pregnancy that hosts more than one issue. The main focus for an unwed mother that was not expecting to become pregnant is whether or not they can take care of the child properly. This is common as a child can become a burden on the finances which can lead to neglect and possibly feelings of hatred towards the child.

This is something that a lot of people are up against when they think that the child will not be something that they can handle. The time comes when a decision must be made and that does not come lightly to the person that is pregnant. There is also the matter of the person that is pregnant that does not want to have children. Many times people make the decision to not bring a child into the world and then the issue is shoved upon them whether they wanted it or not. So in the end there is no other choice. They many times feel as though they would not be worthy parents in the end so they must make the choice. The people of the world are now turning to more than one thing to solve this crisis. Adoption is the best choice of the two by far.

For the people who are wishing to have a child but cannot because of medical or other issues then the adoption of a child seems like the most viable option all the way around. In most cases the parents are well equipped to deal with such things, like financial and such issues and they have a set mind to have a child. The main problem is the length of time it takes for the adoption agencies to approve such things.

Read more from this author at: parents-mag.com

By Robin Bartko

The good news is that there are many excellent resources available to help guide you on your journey including some that allow you to learn about adoption from experts in the privacy of your own home. Moreover, many of the things that prospective adoptive parents fear about the adoption process turn out to either not to be problems at all or can be addressed if youre willing to keep your options open.

Here are five common concerns and their answers:

1. 'I would like a baby, but all our state adoption agency has are older children.' At first, it may seem impossible to adopt an infant or even a child under five. Private agencies, religious-related organizations, private adoptions, and foreign countries often offer infants and younger children.

2. 'Local adoption agencies say Im too old to adopt.' While its true that there are rules on age, they vary widely. The age restrictions of your state agency will likely vary from that of a private agency or that of foreign countries such as Russia, China, Korea, and Guatemala. Some look at the ages of both of the perspective parents, others only one. If you keep your options open theres almost certainly a path for you to adopt.

3. 'Will I be able to handle a special needs child?' The answer to this question largely depends on how much time, knowledge, and energy you have to devote to a child and how involved his or her challenges are. Usually you can get the knowledge you need to raise a child with special needs from your doctor, specialists with your local school district, and from online sites parents and professionals have created. Of course, the most important part is to know what youre prepared to handle before you adopt, and work with your adoption professional to find the right match for you and your new child.

4. 'How will a child fit into my family?' Adopted children blend into a family just like a biological child does. Once you get past the initial getting acquainted period, your adopted child will seem as naturally a part of your family as any child ever could. Plus, there are plenty of families with both adopted and biological children.

5. 'How will an adopted child impact my life?' Virtually everyone says their child enriched their life far more than they ever imagined. There are very few 'sure things' in life, but the joy and love an adopted child brings you are about as certain as anything can be.

Most people have lots of reservations when they start thinking about adoption. Adopting an older child, a child with special needs, or a child of another race or nationality all bring their own questions and concerns. Let me assure you that this only normal - and you are not alone. However, do not let these fears keep you from exploring your dream of starting or growing your family.

Adoption is one of lifes most wonderful endeavors. If you are thinking about adopting a child, please take time to get answers to your questions. There are a number of top sites, fellow parents, and accessible experts who are ready to help you.

Robin Bartko is an adoptive parent and founder of http://www.ThinkingAboutAdopting.com featuring a great deal of expert information for adoptive parents. Get answers to your questions, find valuable resources, and attend Robins popular Adoption Telecourses and Webinars. Reach Robin at Robin@ThinkingofAdopting.com

By Howard Iken

In most states, a courts decision about child custody during a divorce used to be simple to make. The judge would give custody to the mom. The dad got alternating weekend visitation. Now, custody decisions are drastically more complex. Many states have adopted a standard called 'best interests of the child.' Judges are required to weigh a list of factors to determine which parent is the proper custodian of the children. The level of complexity in custody decisions has drastically risen and decisions are no longer clear-cut.

Florida is one state that places an emphasis on the protection of children involved in a divorce. The best interests of the child are the guiding principles in Florida. Domestic relations law of the state outline a list of factors a judge must consider in every custody decision: 1. the childs school and home history; 2. the permanence of the childs proposed home; 3. the continuity of the childs situation; 4. the parents ability to provide the necessities of life; 5. love, affection, and existing ties with either parent; 6. any history of domestic violence; and 7. the parent most likely to promote the childs continued contact and relationship with the other parent.

There are two factors that appear to be most important: 6. the history of domestic violence and 7. the parent most likely to promote the childs continued contact and relationship with the other parent. The importance of considering domestic violence is obvious. If a child is awarded to a violent parent, the safety of that child might be compromised. But most people are not aware of and do not understand why factor #7 is so important: the parent most likely to promote the childs continued contact and relationship with the other parent. And because there is so little awareness of this factor, it presents both a great opportunity and great danger for parents seeking custody of their child. The 'best interests of the child' standard was developed by lawyers, judges, child psychologists, and social workers. It represents a balancing of interests and is designed to benefit the child. The states that have adopted this standard believe a child should have a continuing bond with both parents, even after a divorce. And that mutual bond is best promoted by a parent that promotes visitation with the non-custodial parent.

The parent that appears to promote the childs contact with the other parent will get a strong preference in a custody decision. The parent that refuses visitation with the other parent will hurt themselves in a custody decision. Cooperation with visitation can take many forms. A suggested pattern of conduct includes: avoiding discussions of adult - divorce issues with the children, making reasonable arrangements for weekly visitation, openness about sharing holidays with the children, and participating in joint decision making about major childrens issues.

If you are contemplating divorce, you should educate yourself about how courts and judges make decisions. By educating yourself, you can make sure a judge will look favorably at your behavior. A divorce does not have to be a guessing game. The educated spouse will always get a more favorable outcome.

Howard Iken is a Divorce Attorney practicing in the Tampa Florida area. His telephone number is 888-439-3486. More information on child custody decisions can be found at http://www.18884mydivorce.com/pub/Childcustody/child-custody-factors.htm General information on all divorce issues can be found at http://www.18884mydivorce.com

By Rob Newby

If you are looking to win child custody, all of this will play into what the court will have to examine. What are there advantages and disadvantages of your current situation? Does it meet your childs needs? Does this situation work for both parents? How will this custody arrangement improve or degrade the quality of life for the child? Remember the court will rule in favor of what it perceives as the best interest of the child.

Some of the factors that the court will look at are:

Primary Caregiver
Who would be viewed as the primary caregiver? Who is more involved in your childs life and day-to-day routines? The parent who has been more involved in the childs day-to-day routines will most likely be viewed as the primary caregiver. The courts weigh heavily toward the primary caregiver and dont like changing them unless there are serious problems.

Abuse
Is there an issue of domestic violence between you and your spouse? Allegations are treated seriously when we are talking about how to win child custody. The penalties are heavy if you are found to guilty of domestic violence. Avoid any heated discussions with your spouse. You dont want the police making a visit on your behalf. It will be used against you down the road. If abuse is an issue, know that it will be difficult to almost impossible to win child custody.

Substance Abuse
Is there a history of substance abuse? Alcohol, prescription drugs and illicit drugs all play a factor in trying to win child custody. The court will be hard pressed to grant custody to an abuser, even if they have gone through rehab. A caveat to this would be if the substance abuse was a long time ago. What is a long time? Ask your attorney what this court has ruled in the past. It will be different for each judge hearing the cases.

(End Part 1)

You can get Part 2 on how to win Child Custody at http://child-custody-secrets.com. Its in the FREE report. Heres to you winning the most favorable child custody arrangement.

Get a comprehensive Child Custody Package at Child Custody Secrets - Custody Center. Start Protecting your rights and your children as early as possible!

By Howard Iken

Copyright 2005 The Divorce Center P.A.

In most states, a court's decision about child custody during a divorce used to be simple to make. The judge would give custody to the mom. The dad got alternating weekend visitation. Now, custody decisions are drastically more complex. Many states have adopted a standard called "best interests of the child." Judges are required to weigh a list of factors to determine which parent is the proper custodian of the children. The level of complexity in custody decisions has drastically risen and decisions are no longer clear-cut.

Florida is one state that places an emphasis on the protection of children involved in a divorce. The best interests of the child are the guiding principles in Florida. Domestic relations law of the state outline a list of factors a judge must consider in every custody decision: 1. the child's school and home history; 2. the permanence of the child's proposed home; 3. the continuity of the child's situation; 4. the parent's ability to provide the necessities of life; 5. love, affection, and existing ties with either parent; 6. any history of domestic violence; and 7. the parent most likely to promote the child's continued contact and relationship with the other parent.

There are two factors that appear to be most important: 6. the history of domestic violence and 7. the parent most likely to promote the child's continued contact and relationship with the other parent. The importance of considering domestic violence is obvious. If a child is awarded to a violent parent, the safety of that child might be compromised. But most people are not aware of and do not understand why factor #7 is so important: the parent most likely to promote the child's continued contact and relationship with the other parent. And because there is so little awareness of this factor, it presents both a great opportunity and great danger for parents seeking custody of their child. The "best interests of the child" standard was developed by lawyers, judges, child psychologists, and social workers. It represents a balancing of interests and is designed to benefit the child. The states that have adopted this standard believe a child should have a continuing bond with both parents, even after a divorce. And that mutual bond is best promoted by a parent that promotes visitation with the non-custodial parent.

The parent that appears to promote the child's contact with the other parent will get a strong preference in a custody decision. The parent that refuses visitation with the other parent will hurt themselves in a custody decision. Cooperation with visitation can take many forms. A suggested pattern of conduct includes: avoiding discussions of adult - divorce issues with the children, making reasonable arrangements for weekly visitation, openness about sharing holidays with the children, and participating in joint decision making about major children's issues.

If you are contemplating divorce, you should educate yourself about how courts and judges make decisions. By educating yourself, you can make sure a judge will look favorably at your behavior. A divorce does not have to be a guessing game. The educated spouse will always get a more favorable outcome.

Howard Iken is a Divorce Attorney practicing in the Tampa Florida area. His telephone number is 888-439-3486. More information on child custody decisions can be found at http://www.18884mydivorce.com/pub/Childcustody/child-custody-factors.htm General information on all divorce issues can be found at http://www.18884mydivorce.com

By Michael Williams

Previous laws got updated in 2001 when Bush cut back taxes; this increased the tax deductions. Now parents are entitled to use the child care tax reduction and claim up to $1,000 per child. Being able to use this deduction can open up better options in day care for parents and their children.

The child care tax deduction is aimed mostly at helping out the middle class. The middle can fall in the gaps a lot when it comes to day care and this child tax deduction aims to correct this problem. Even with certain qualifying factors regarding income, the middle class can benefit from the child care tax reduction.

Of course to have your child qualify for the child care deduction you must meet the following requirements. First they must be claimed as a dependent on your taxes. They must be 16 or younger at the end of the year. They must also be a United States citizen, alien, or resident to qualify. They must also be related to you by birth, adoption, marriage, or as foster children. There are only two limits that may disqualify you from using the deduction. One if your income exceeds $75,000 for single or widow, $110,000 for married filing jointly or $55,000 married filing separately, you cannot use the deduction. If you do exceed any of these amounts you may still be able to apply for a tax deduction, but it must be calculated to reflect your income. Your tax liability can also affect your qualification as well.

Being able to use the child tax reduction to help in the daycare of your child can be worth more than you would think. Not only does it bring you peace of mind, being able to choose a day care that you are comfortable with, but it can also save you money in the long run. If you qualify, remember to apply for the child tax deduction, its worth it.

Check out http://www.easy-tax-deductions.com for more articles on tax deductions for the self employed and child care tax deduction.

By Nicky Pilkington

Many types of savings help you go that extra mile in keeping the smile on the babys face. Here is a list of the available options.

(a) Supplementary exemption called Dependency Exemption (b) Child Tax Credit (c) Child and Dependent Care Credit (d) Tax deduction, by transferring revenue to the child.

(a) Dependency Exemption: necessary amount from your gross income is deducted in accordance with inflation rates. * The child (dependent) must be living at your residence throughout the year or he/she must be a relative. * The dependents gross income must not exceed the annual exemption amount. This clause, however, does not apply to children who are less than 19 years of age or are full-time students whose age is less than 24 years. * The taxpayer must support at least half the dependents total cost of living. * The dependent must be a resident of the US, Mexico or Canada.

If the kid meets all the rules, you then provide your SSN and claim deductions.

(b) Tax Credits: this is the case of a new born kid. For instance, you are entitled to Child Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit. Tax Credits are the true savior because they measure the amount on per dollar basis. If a kid is adopted, the foster parents can claim a part of expense of legal adoption.

(c) Income shifting: transfer funds to children as they naturally fall under the lower income group but exercise caution and play within the rules of the game.

After all you dont want to take the smile on your familys face. They want a bright and a nice future.

Find more about Tax Deductions

By Jacqueline Courtiol

Getting your toddler to perform toileting independently is a welcome milestone for any parent. Few of us want to be changing diapers much past the childs second birthday. However, children vary greatly in their adoption of the potty routine which is influenced by a childs innate ability, aptitude and maturity. However, there several tips and techniques you can use to hasten the blessed day when your toddler says: 'Mommy, I did potty by myself'.1.) Get your child ready - explain to your child that its time to do 'pee-pee' and 'poo-poo' in the potty. Promote the benefits of being trained such as no more diaper rash, interruptions for diaper changing, being clean and dry. Discuss training as an important stage of growing up.
2.) Make it fun - first and foremost, make this a game. Children will naturally resist anything which is not framed as a fun learning experience. Use play, music, toys, and stories as part of the experience to keep the child from getting bored or distracted.
3.) Create a ritual - try to make the experience repeatable so your child knows what to expect each time and gets into the routine of sitting and staying on the potty.
4.) Use props - use of books, toys, videos and music all help create an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment which is so essential.
5.) Time it right - Try repeating the process every hour for 2 to 4 minutes. If you can do this close to times your child usually has a bowel movement or urination, such as just after a meal, even better.
6.) Be prepared - If you are traveling or away from home, bring a folding, plastic adapter ring that fits onto an adult toilet seat is useful. Extra tissue and wipes will be useful in bathrooms that are short on supplies.
7.) Give praise - give you child social praise for sitting on the potty patiently or for staying dry. If the potty routine is successful, consider some reward (e.g. special prize, book or foods) that are especially valued.
8.) Show your child how to clean up - demonstrate how to wash hands and dry hands on a towel.

Remember that training you child takes patience and perseverance. Staying on task and being consistent send an important message to your child. Above all, dont let your child feel forced. Its important to keep the whole experience fun and enjoyable for the best results.

Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed. is a veteran teacher, mother and business owner. She is the founder of http://www.coliccalm.com a pediatrician recommended natural homeopathic remedy for relief of infant colic and gas. More information can be found at http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/baby_colic_treatment.htm

By Low Jeremy

When you are about to put your marriage in separate directions, you must expect that its a long way to go. Certainly, ending your marriage in divorce can cost you to have the task of the equal sharing of properties and as well as youre most prized possession - your child or children.

Its very difficult to understand how to cope in a child custody battle. A marriage that ended in divorce can be the start of a legal battle on whom to keep the child or children. Since the couple is separated, the issue of bitterness is still very much alive on each part when they are about to have the custody of the child or children.

For in part of having the custody of the child or children, divorced parents are looking for experienced individuals with regards of child custody. In the state of Illinois, there are lots of good lawyers that can help you fight for your rights. Its your way to find a good lawyer that will suit your needs.

Precisely, a lawyer must be consulted before any action is taken so as to keep respect regarding to child custody. You must consult your lawyer about all the issues including jurisdictional options and requirements. Your lawyer will base the action intended with respect to the law that protects the childs or childrens best interest. Since the troubled parents are facing different hardships, they must give way to what is the best for the child or to the children.

Accordingly, your preferred Illinois lawyer will tell if your case can be heard pursuant to the following types of proceedings:

*If the case is under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) which is part of the dissolution or in legal separation procedures.

*If the case is under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) which is a part of an independent action, even though both parties are never married to each other.

*If the case is under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 in a move to set up parentage.

*Under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, if the child has a case that includes situations like delinquent, neglected, and abused.

*Under the law of Probate Act of 1975, when care of the child or children is wanted.

*Under the law of the Adoption Act, pending the termination of both parental rights and temporary child custody.

In determining your rights to be heard, your lawyer will take the necessary actions in order to make the case settled as soon as possible. Moreover, your Illinois child custody lawyer will determine if the case will be prosper under certain conditions. An Illinois court will tell if the case will be heard if its under any one of the three situations and these are the following:

*If the state of Illinois is the home of the child at the time of the beginning of the proceedings or if the state is the childs home within 6 months before the start of the proceedings. The child is not living anymore within the state as long as one of the parent or an individual acting as parent continues to reside in Illinois.

*If one of the parents has important connection with the state and interest of the child concerning the future care, training, protection is available in the state of Illinois.

*If the child is physically present in the state of Illinois and abandoned or mistreated and neglected.

*If the case appears when another state declined to apply its jurisdiction on the ground that only the state of Illinois is the place to take the appropriate judgment.

Finally, in resolving your case to whom the child rightfully belongs is just another phase of the process in divorce or in legal separation. With an involvement of an Illinois lawyer, their knowledge about the states child custody laws will surely help your case. Their helpful advices can help you to fully understand different options to bring the best interest to you and your child.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on child custody & where to find one in your state, please visit http://child-custody.articlekeep.com

By Mary Anne Winslow

The problem of homelessness is one of the oldest and most troubling problems of the society of all times. It is a vital issue that needs to be paid much attention of the government and the whole society. However there is also an opinion that homelessness is not the problem of a society but an individual one, as it is up to a person to choose the life style and the way to go in one's life. It is an individual difficulty of a person to work and provide food and dwelling for oneself, but it is the government's responsibility to create the conditions for safe and successful work and conditions for the one who works to be able to eventually get a dwelling.

The provision of shelter is a basic human need which is identified in Maslows hierarchy of needs as an 'essential' need in order to progress to 'higher order' needs such as belonging and love. Those without shelter are collectively termed as 'homeless'.

This report will examine some of the reasons for homelessness in Britain, the problems that homeless people face and how the government has tackled these in the past. A brief history of housing policy is included which then leads on to current legislation intended to prevent homelessness.

Stewart remarks that homelessness is the most extreme form of housing need and that it is a failure of access to a secure home. It is therefore important to study homelessness as a social problem as Britain is a welfare state in which poverty and the housing problems and conditions of pre-war Britain were intended to be eradicated by increasing welfare provision such as social housing and social security benefits.

Indeed, the number of people seriously lacking in food, clothing, shelter and warmth was dramatically reduced (ibid) in comparison to 1930's statistics and a massive growth in Social Service professions in the 1960's and 70's meant that people had greater access to quality health care, housing and advice.

Unfortunately, many problems exist today which mean that people are still experiencing problems associated with poor living conditions and the reasons why this is happening in a so-called 'welfare state' need to be investigated and addressed.

Pierson and Thomas term homelessness as 'The condition of being without a home or shelter or of living in circumstances wholly inappropriate to personal and social needs.' Definitions of homelessness tend to vary widely with those who campaign against homelessness often taking a holistic approach and defining all those who are in 'inadequate accommodation' as homeless. Homelessness can be seen as a condition of detachment from society characterised by the lack of the affiliate bonds that link people into their social structures. Homelessness carries implications of belonging nowhere rather than not having a bed.

The emphasis in the definition is on 'accommodation' and although someone may have a roof over their head and be sheltered, this does not necessarily constitute a 'home'. However, the act does address the issue of people who have no legal right to occupy the accommodation that they may be residing in and thus includes them as 'homeless people'.

Homelessness statistics are often unreliable as many people do not report themselves to local authorities as being in need of housing and figures usually reflect people who are accepted as homeless by local authority housing departments and thus are grossly underestimated. However in order to give an indication of the extent of the problem of homelessness according to local authorities in Britain, some statistics are included here.

There are many stereotypes of homeless people. They are often perceived as being 'beggars', 'tramps', addicted to drugs and alcohol and are often blamed for their own predicament. A common misconception is that homeless people are all 'rough sleepers' but the vast majority of homeless people are not rough sleepers and still need the help of a local authority housing department (ibid) and the voluntary sector.

Homelessness is characterised by poverty, but homeless people may not be poorer than the lower ranks of the housed population, for instance, Dispatch Online reports that a Dutchman is believed to be living rough as a tramp somewhere in Amsterdam, unaware that he has inherited a fortune. Lawyers are now searching the streets for the 43 year old, the sole surviving heir to a rich uncle who died in Heerlen. However, their state does render them more insecure and vulnerable to violence and threats especially when they are living rough.

Shelter state that people lose their homes for many reasons such as relationship breakdowns, domestic violence and eviction by landlords, however there are groups of people who may lose their homes because of the 'system' that they are part of. These include young people leaving care, the mentally ill leaving hospitals, low paid and unemployed people and people who are leaving the armed forces. In addition, asylum seekers not only face discrimination but severe restrictions on or the refusal of state benefits.

Young people in the care system are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. With less than one per cent of young people being taken into care in the United Kingdom, twenty two per cent of their research sample group had been in care at some point in their lives. In London alone, O'Mahoney found that thirty to forty per cent of people using the homeless facilities have had experience of the care system.

Children in the care system have often had disrupted and traumatic childhoods and may have suffered from a wide range of abuse which in turn could create difficulties in coping with independence when they leave care between the ages of 16-18.

This quote raises the issue that the problem of homelessness experienced by care leavers may be a result of the inadequacies of the care system itself, however the Homeless Act 2002 which will be discussed in more detail later, places care leavers under the age of twenty one who were 'looked after' local authorities when they were 16-17 in 'priority need' of accommodation. This, in conjunction with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 which lays important duties on local authorities such as mapping out routes to independence and providing personal and practical support during and after the transitional stage, is intended to improve the life chances of children leaving care.

People in the armed forces normally have accommodation provided for them by the Ministry Of Defence, however when they leave the service, inevitably they are required to leave the accommodation that was provided for them and this can effectively render them as 'homeless' if they cannot secure alternative accommodation. Shelters Armed Forces Project identify that a significant number of ex-service personnel have not had a home since leaving the forces and experience a range of difficulties resettling into civilian life.

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