Important Information For Would-Be Foster Parents

In a perfect world, every child would have a safe, loving, nurturing home in which to grow up. Unfortunately, life is not always so idyllic for children growing up in today's world - for any number of different reasons, many children are displaced from their birth families. However, these children do not necessarily have to be raised in group homes or orphanages. Foster care may be another option.

If you are considering fostering a child (or multiple children) or would simply like to learn more about the process, this article is for you. Keep reading to learn some important general information about the foster system in Missouri, courtesy of our family attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks.

 What Is Foster Care?

 Simply put, foster care is an arrangement wherein a couple or individual adult agrees to provide food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities to children who do not have parents or other legal guardians who can fulfill these responsibilities. Foster arrangements are generally temporary - they are designed to last until the foster child is returned to their legal custodian, legally adopted or "ages out" of the foster system.

 Foster parents play a crucial role in foster children's lives. Ideally, their foster parents provide the safe, nurturing environment these children need to recover from the negative situations, experiences, and circumstances they may have encountered in their past.

 Foster Parent Requirements

 You must meet certain specific requirements in order to become a foster parent. For example, you must...
  • Be at least 21 years old.
  • Not have a criminal record (especially for crimes relating to child abuse, elder abuse, or any kind of sexual abuse).
  • Have enough bedrooms in your home to accommodate the foster kid(s).
  • Have a consistent source of income that will enable you to meet the foster children's needs (although in some cases, financial assistance is provided the foster parents).
  • Be willing to have a home assessment (which will include all family members in your household).
  • Attend the foster parent training sessions provided in your area.

Local governments may have their own additional requirements that adults must meet in order to be eligible to be foster parents. For example, while single adults are welcome to become foster parents, some governments or agencies will not allow unmarried cohabiting adults to foster children (unless they are related).

Making Fostering Accessible

Though the aforementioned requirements must be met, becoming a foster parent is very doable for most adults. Foster parents do not have to have extremely high income or very large homes. Same-sex children are allowed to share bedrooms, and opposite-sex children are allowed to share bedrooms as long as they are below a certain age (typically 5). 

Generally, foster parents receive a stipend from the state to help off-set the financial burdens of raising a child. While this stipend is helpful, however, it is important that parents not rely on it as the sole source of financial stability for the foster child. Foster parents will often be required to invest their own money in the child's life as well.

Fostering To Adopt

As a foster parent, you may have the option of legally adopting your foster children. Adoption will make your temporary situation permanent - once your children are adopted, they will live with you until they become adults. However, it is important to note that fostering does not guarantee you will be able to adopt the children; foster children may also be reunited with their birth families or adopted by other families.

Considering Foster Care? Contact Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.

 The foster system plays a crucial role in our modern society, and foster parents are an invaluable resource to children in need. If you are considering becoming a foster parent or would like more information on fostering to adopt, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our family attorneys in Camdenton MO. We can educate you on the various legal implications of your decision and help you move forward in the most effective way possible.

 Call (573) 346-7231 to schedule your initial case review.

Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020   GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
(888) 236-2485 - Toll Free
(573) 346-4411 - Fax

Like Us on Facebook
Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Reasons To Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney

Image
Criminal charges can turn your life upside down. If you are found guilty, you can suffer numerous consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and effect on your permanent record. If you are facing criminal charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference. Consider these reason why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent your case. 1. Your Attorney Understands The Law It's no secret that the legal field is complex. Every law has exceptions, and every circumstance has different specific requirements. You need a criminal defense attorney that has experience dealing with these minute details and can help you use them to build a solid case. 2. Your Attorney Knows The Scene The Missouri Courts are like a world of their own. Each court has its own set of rules, social norms, and strict guidelines governing what behavior is and is not acceptable. If this is your first court case, you can not possibly know all of these unspo
Read more

Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage

Image
Congratulations! It is 2019 and this is the year you are getting married. Among all of the wedding planning, you probably haven't had time to think about the legal side of getting married. While it is not the most glamorous side, it is worth taking a look into. For example, has your fiance brought up the notion of signing a prenuptial agreement (prenup)? It is best to know what all comes with a prenuptial agreement and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to sign one. Our attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few legal tips to be aware of when entering into a marriage. If you find yourself need a prenuptial agreement drawn up, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch   today for your free consultation at 573-346-7231. Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage Do You Plan to Legally Change Your Name After You Get Married? If you plan to change your legal name after marriage, here is what you need to do. According to the Misso
Read more

Global Entrepreneurship Week: 5 Tips For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Image
We live in a business-oriented society. From buying groceries to traveling internationally, we rely heavily on local, national, and international businesses for many a spect s of our lives. We have become so accustomed to using these businesses in our day-to-day lives that we now take many of them for granted. No matter how big a corporation is, it's important to realize that every business started out small at some point in time. Every business - even those with thousands of employees - originally began simply as an idea in the mind of one forward-thinking individual. Global Entrepreneurship Week USA We owe entrepreneurs a great debt of gratitude for the roles they have played in shaping our society, our culture, and our nation. Next week (November 14-20, 2016) is designated as Global Entrepreneurship Week USA in recognition of the importance of these forward-thinking individuals. In honor of this important week-long observance, our business attorneys in Camdenton MO
Read more