{"id":351553,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/adoption\/adoption-fraud.html"},"modified":"2023-03-20T13:30:09","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T18:30:09","slug":"adoption-fraud","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/adoption-fraud.html","title":{"rendered":"Adoption Fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Adoption Fraud<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/jade-yeban-j-d\/\">Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/nicole-prebeck-esq\/\">Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            March 20, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Adoption fraud is also known as &quot;wrongful adoption&quot; or &quot;adoption scams.&quot; It refers to any form of intentional misrepresentation or illegal act during the adoption process. The act must be for personal or financial gain.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p><b style=\"font-size: 0.8125rem;\">Fraudulent adoption cases or scams can come from:<\/b><br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/agency-adoptions.html\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\">Adoption agencies<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Facilitators<\/li>\r\n<li>Birth parents<\/li>\r\n<li>Adoptive parents<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>This article provides a general overview of adoption fraud.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Types of Common Adoption Scams<\/h2>\r\n<p>Typically, in adoption scam cases, the adoptive parents claim wrongdoing by agencies. They claim the agency failed to provide them with the adopted child&#8217;s full background information.<\/p>\r\n<p>The adoptive parents will claim they were deprived of the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to adopt.<\/p>\r\n<p>In other cases, adoptive parents are scammed by online birth mothers. The mothers may promise the adoption of their babies to more than one family.<\/p>\r\n<p>The birth mother may ask for financial support, travel or medical expenses, or other costs in these cases.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sometimes, the person misrepresents their pregnancy altogether and is not pregnant.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Why Do People Commit Adoption Fraud?<\/h2>\r\n<p>It can be hard to understand why someone would target future parents hoping to adopt. Unfortunately, adoption fraud is just like other scams that look for an &quot;easy&quot; target.<\/p>\r\n<p>Hopeful future parents looking to adopt are typically emotional and vulnerable. They may already feel stressed about the long and costly adoption process.<\/p>\r\n<p>Being willing to adopt also signals financial security, as most&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyequality.org\/resources\/average-adoption-costs-in-the-united-states\/#:~:text=Domestic%20Adoption%3A%20Adopting%20an%20infant,agency%20or%20attorney%20you%20choose.\" class=\"atom_link atom_broken\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoptions in the U.S. cost $20,000-40,000<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>The person running the scam is typically looking for:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Cash<\/li>\r\n<li>Credit cards<\/li>\r\n<li>Money transfers<\/li>\r\n<li>Products for the future child<\/li>\r\n<li>Products for their own care or convenience<\/li>\r\n<li>Payment of bills<\/li>\r\n<li>Free travel<\/li>\r\n<li>Free transportation<\/li>\r\n<li>Payment of services<\/li>\r\n<li>Payment of medical appointments or needs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Adoption Fraud State Laws<\/h2>\r\n<p>Most states do not have laws aimed at punishing adoption fraud. Instead, these states punish it as a felony charge of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/fraud.html\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\">theft by deception.&nbsp;<\/a>This crime is punishable by fines or jail time (up to 20 years in prison in some states).<\/p>\r\n<p>Other states make it a misdemeanor. One example is Indiana &#8212; the state has an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/in\/title-35-criminal-law-and-procedure\/in-code-sect-35-46-1-9.html\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption deception statute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>These laws make it a misdemeanor for a birth mother to:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Accept adoption-related expenses from more than one prospective adoptive parent or agency<\/li>\r\n<li>Accept money when they have no intention of giving up their child<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Under these laws, prospective adoptive families may sue the birth mother. The amount you can sue for is generally several times the amount of expenses paid.<\/p>\r\n<p>You can browse through a collection of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/adoption-laws\/\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\">adoption laws by state<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Real Adoption Scam Examples<\/h2>\r\n<p>Generally, adoption scammers target unsuspecting&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/who-may-adopt-overview.html\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\">adoptive parents<\/a>&nbsp;through deception. There are many types of adoption scam cases recorded.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Examples of adoption scams might include:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>An adoption agency charging excessive fees for the adoption process<\/li>\r\n<li>An adoption agency accepting money for adoption services that were never given<\/li>\r\n<li>A placing agency failing to give adoptive families known information about a child&#8217;s physical, emotional, or developmental health (such as a child with disabilities)<\/li>\r\n<li>An adoption facilitator withholding critical background information about the adoptee&#8217;s birth family<\/li>\r\n<li>A pregnant person or biological father promising multiple families their unborn child while accepting money, with or without the intention to complete the adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>A non-pregnant person posing as a biological mother while collecting money, such as living expenses or medical expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>A person trying to sell a baby online for money, regardless of whether they are the child&#8217;s biological parents<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Adoption Fraud Red Flags<\/h2>\r\n<p>Paying attention to warning signs of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/News\/Intercountry-Adoption-News\/alert-statement-of-apr-7-2014-apr7-2014.html\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption fraud<\/a>&nbsp;is a good idea for anyone seeking to adopt a child. But a &quot;red flag&quot; or potential warning sign doesn&#8217;t always mean adoption fraud occurs.<\/p>\r\n<p>The following red flags should trigger further research and inquiry. Hopefully, this research can be done before any money has passed hands or emotions are involved.<\/p>\r\n<p>Below are lists of common warning signs to look out for during the adoption process.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Potential&nbsp;Adoption Agency or Facilitator&nbsp;Red Flags<\/h2>\r\n<p>Adoption providers and fake agencies have common scams they might try on potential adopters.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>You should be wary of words or actions such as:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Pressuring you to sign documents you don&#8217;t fully understand<\/li>\r\n<li>Not returning your phone calls or emails<\/li>\r\n<li>No response despite multiple attempts to contact them<\/li>\r\n<li>Not making decisions in the best interests of the child<\/li>\r\n<li>Making guarantees about the adoption process<\/li>\r\n<li>Emphasizing the willingness of a potential birth mother to agree to the adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Emphasizing how quickly and easily the adoption placement of the child will be<\/li>\r\n<li>Making representations on behalf of the child&#8217;s parents without consulting them first<\/li>\r\n<li>Referring to the child as &quot;yours&quot; (hoping to create an emotional connection) before the adoption is legally finalized<\/li>\r\n<li>Making unsolicited contact with you to sign you up as a prospective adoptive parent or birth mother<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Potential Birth Parent&nbsp;Red Flags<\/h2>\r\n<p>Birth parents, or people posing as birth parents, can try to scam you out of your personal information or money.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Follow these tips to avoid some common red flags from parents:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Does not show you proof of pregnancy (even when asked to do so)<\/li>\r\n<li>Does not return your calls or respond to emails<\/li>\r\n<li>Does not give you a phone number to reach them<\/li>\r\n<li>Saying that they&#8217;ll be in touch with you without providing their contact information<\/li>\r\n<li>Does not give you information about the child&#8217;s birth<\/li>\r\n<li>Rushing to the topic of you paying for their expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Refusing to meet with an adoption agency, adoption attorney, or other adoption professionals<\/li>\r\n<li>Refusing to create an adoption plan<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>What You Can Do To Avoid Adoption Scams<\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Use the tips below to avoid public or private adoption scams:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Learn about the common patterns of adoption scams<\/li>\r\n<li>Join forums and online groups that discuss tips for preventing adoption scams<\/li>\r\n<li>Always use a trusted professional to assist with the process<\/li>\r\n<li>Research the agency or individual online to see what kind of information comes up<\/li>\r\n<li>Keep in mind &quot;if it seems too good to be true, it probably is&quot;<\/li>\r\n<li>Ask many questions<\/li>\r\n<li>Know your legal rights in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/the-different-types-of-adoption.html\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\">domestic adoptions or international adoption cases<\/a>&nbsp;by speaking to an adoption attorney<\/li>\r\n<li>Talk to others (family members, friends, community members) who have adopted a child to learn what you might expect<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>What To Do If You Believe You Are a Victim of an Adoption Scam<\/h2>\r\n<p>Adoption fraud is a serious matter that takes an emotional and financial toll on its victims.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you suspect fraudulent adoption activity, you may wish to report the potential violation to the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Your local police department<\/li>\r\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/contact-us\/field-offices\/detroit\/news\/press-releases\/fbi-warns-the-public-about-domestic-adoption-fraud-schemes\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FBI<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>The state attorney general office<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Fraud Information Center<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Have You Been Defrauded During an Adoption Process? Talk to a Lawyer Today.<\/h2>\r\n<p>If you or someone you love has been affected by adoption fraud, you should speak with a family law attorney. This is especially important if the exchange of money has already occurred.<\/p>\r\n<p>Contact an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/?fli=dcta\" class=\"atom_link atom_valid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">family law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;near you for some peace of mind.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                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class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                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class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    It is a good idea to have an attorney for complex adoptions\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can ensure you meet all legal requirements and that your adoption is finalized appropriately\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can help protect the best interests of adoptive children, adoptive families, and birth parents\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    For simple adoptions, you may be able to do the paperwork on your own or by using an agency\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored advice at any point in the adoption process. 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             <div class=\"fl-image-card__content\">\n            <div class=\"action-card-layout\">\n                <h2 class=\"action-card-layout__heading\">\n                    Don&#8217;t Forget About Estate Planning\n                <\/h2>\n                <div class=\"action-card-layout__content fl-text-lg\">\n                    <p>Adopting a child is an ideal time to create or change your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findlaw.com%2Fforms%2Festate-planning.html&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrittany.Walker%40thomsonreuters.com%7C2d4e4b227c9a4fb86af008dbda212946%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C638343608191626949%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bi68%2BBAgQTWdqe0Zw10fMvZVQGWNTvAvVB4MyPzLqd8%3D&amp;reserved=0\">estate<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent;font-weight: normal;\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findlaw.com%2Fforms%2Festate-planning.html&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrittany.Walker%40thomsonreuters.com%7C2d4e4b227c9a4fb86af008dbda212946%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C638343608191626949%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bi68%2BBAgQTWdqe0Zw10fMvZVQGWNTvAvVB4MyPzLqd8%3D&amp;reserved=0\">planning forms<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent;font-weight: normal;\">. Take the time to add new beneficiaries to your will and name a guardian for any minor children. Consider creating a financial power of attorney so your agent can pay bills and make sure your children are provided for. A health care directive explains your health care decisions and takes the decision-making burden off your children when they become adults.<\/span><\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/estate-planning.html\" class=\"action-card-layout__button fl-button fl-link-button secondary\">\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Start Planning<\/span>\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many types of fraudulent acts targeting unsuspecting individuals. Perhaps the cruelest involves the fraudulent adoption of children. Learn how to protect yourself with FindLaw&#8217;s adoption fraud overview. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":351545,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2730],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-351553","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-family"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=351553"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351553\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=351553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=351553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=351553"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=351553"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=351553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}