About Chandricka R. Mose, LCSW-C, LICSW, ACSW Expertise I can answer questions about the homestudy process, training, foster parent adoptions, traditional, treatment and kinship foster care to adoption matters, and adoption and infertility issues. I am also well versed in general legal matters that come up in adoption.
Experience I have 15 years of foster care and adoption experience as a clinical social worker. I have held many position in this arena including social worker, foster care and adoption trainer and homestudy coordinator, program supervisor and program director.
I also have experiences with adoption in my personal life, as I have two adopted siblings and many foster siblings that I have kept in touch with over the years. I am passionate about this topic.
Organizations National Association of Social Workers,
Kayla's Village - Advisory Committee member - a local organization that supports foster parents, adoptive parents and child welfare professionals through training, support groups and social events.
Publications None, but I presented at a National Treatment Foster Care Conference in 2002.
Education/Credentials I hold a Bachelor of Social Work from Howard University and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.
Awards and Honors Employee of the Year 2001 -Pressley Ridge
Past/Present Clients I have a small private practice and consulting business.
Expert: Chandricka R. Mose, LCSW-C, LICSW, ACSW Date: 3/24/2008 Subject: My husband adopting my 3 year old son
Question Hi Chandricka,
I have a 3 year old son from a previous relationship, the child was born out of wedlock. His father left me when I was 6 months pregnant. We have established paternity and he is ordered by the court to pay child support. He has been doing so for the past year and a half/with a couple of missed payments. I am marrying my fiance in October and we would like him to adopt my son afterwards. My son's biological father has had no contact with my son, he has never met him and shows no interest in ever being involved.
I understand that adopting a child is a long process...but where do we begin? We don't have a lot of money...as I know it can cost thousands....can we use a legal aid to help us or do we need a lawyer? Also, my son's biological father owes about 2,000 in back pay for the year and a half he didn't pay until the order was made...would he still have to owe that to my son? Another question, can we start the adoption process prior to us getting married or do we have to start once we are married?
Thank you for any information!
Ally
P.S. I am in Orange County, NY
Answer Hi Ally,
If your child's father is willing, it does not have to be a very costly adoption. Within the family court, there are documents that you can file on your own behalf to have your husband, (I would wait until you are married) adopt your son. It becomes costly when someone is opposing the adoption. His birth father would have to be willing to terminate his rights and ok the adoption and it should not be a costly process.
