Taxpayers who have adopted or tried to adopt a child may qualify for a tax credit. Here are nine important things about the adoption credit: The Credit. The credit is non refundable, which may reduce taxes owed to zero. If the credit exceeds the tax owed, there is no refund of the additional amount. In addition, if an employer helped pay for the adoption through a written qualified adoption assistance program, that amount may reduce any taxes owed. Maximum Benefit. The adoption tax credit for 2018 has been increased to $13,840.1 Credit Carryover. If the credit exceeds the tax owed, [...]

In 2018, our legislature amended several Ch. C. Articles that regulate the payment of money to parents when in connection with an adoption. Before the revision, a mother was allowed to receive financial assistance in the following categories: Reasonable medical expenses; Reasonable counseling and training expenses for adoptive parents; Reasonable court costs, travel costs, and attorney fees; Reasonable mental health counseling services for parents; Reasonable expenses incurred to collect family histories; Reasonable living expenses incurred by a mother. The category in which many adoption professionals believed was being abused was “living expenses.” By way of context, R.S. 14:286. (Sale of [...]

In March of 2016 we were unexpectedly blessed with a two month-old baby named Zariah, who was related to our two adopted children.  I had been in touch with her birth mom for 13 years, since her two other children were placed in our home through the Texas foster care system.  She had intended on parenting Zariah, but was in a very difficult situation and needed us to intervene temporarily.  When more light was shed on the situation, we realized that it would be dangerous for Zariah to return to her birth mother and we worked towards adopting her. [...]

From the moment we met with Todd Gaudin, we knew he was our guy for this journey. And journey it has been, with even a trip to Haiti included. Todd will go above and beyond to make sure your journey is worth the wait. Having Todd as our lawyer was so pleasant and his Christian values just adds to why we knew we made the right choice with Gaudin Law Group. Todd is very solid in what he believes in and stands for what is right. He is so kind and always available, and if he couldn’t answer, He had [...]

My wife and I were thoroughly pleased with Gaudin Law Group. Everyone at the law firm was very patient and understanding. Our adoption matter wasn’t an easy one, but Todd and Rebecca got the job done. They did a remarkable job and didn’t let up on our case. We are very thankful for his staff and all of help each of them put forth to get us through the adoption process. If we had to do it all again, we would because we appreciate the hard work, determination, and love shown to us by everyone at Gaudin Law Group. [...]

We know our love for each other is strong and have known since the beginning that we wanted to have children. It was our dream to become a mother and a father and to provide joy, love and wisdom to a child. We feel this is our primary purpose on Earth and are excited at how blessed our future will be as a family. We knew from the start of trying to conceive right after marriage that we wanted to pursue adoption. We knew we were starting a family a bit later in life and wanted more than one child. [...]