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Attorney for Goodman kids challenges girlfriend 'adoption'

RICHMOND — Virginia will likely become the second state in the nation — after North Dakota — to allow private adoption agencies to turn away parents based on sexual orientation or religious and moral beliefs.

The General Assembly is considering a measure that would add a “conscience clause’’ to Virginia law that would allow state-funded, faith-based agencies to choose which parents are suitable for adoption based on the agencies’ beliefs.

Daniel Gri and James Abbott, who adopted two sons in California, say that through the proposed guidelines their adopted home of Virginia is further hampering gay people from adopting.

“It makes it seem like it’s not about sexual orientation,” said Gri, who lives in Oakton. “That’s a technique anti-gay organizations use.’’

But supporters of the legislation say it would protect religious freedom by ­allowing birth parents to choose an agency — and as a result, adoptive parents — who adhere to their religious beliefs.

“This measure will chisel into law the principle that people of faith can adhere to their convictions without fear of reprisal from those who would discriminate against their religious beliefs regarding how we should raise our children,” said House Deputy Majority Leader C. Todd Gilbert(R-Shenandoah).

The legislation’s fate became clear after Republicans took control of the state Senate and gained an even heftier majority in the House. The House voted overwhelmingly to pass the measure last week, largely along party lines, while the Senate is expected to vote this week.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) is expected to sign the legislation. He has repeatedly said that faith-based organizations should be able to make their own policies.

Virginia has 77 private agencies, 16 of them faith-based. They placed 557 of the state’s 2,503 adoptions last year, according to state figures. In total, the agencies and 120 local social services departments received $144 million in state and federal funds for child placement last year.

Who can adopt, and who can’t

The bill does not change who can adopt. State law does not allow unmarried couples — homosexual or heterosexual — to adopt. But it is possible for single people, including gays, to adopt.

For gay-rights group Equality Virginia, the ACLU and others, the legislation merely perpetuates discrimination.

“Let’s just speak the truth and tell it like it is,’’ Del. David L. Englin (D-Alexandria) said. “This legislation is about ensuring that foster placement agencies that do not want to place children .?.?. with same-sex couples are able to do that.’’

Democrats, outgunned in the newly Republican-controlled legislature, have unsuccessfully tried to amend the legislation and pass their own bill, which would have banned discrimination by agencies that receive state funds. Nine states prohibit discrimination in adoption.

“Any bill that sanctions discrimination is unfortunate and misguided,’’ said Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico), who attempted to amend the bill last week.

The bill would prohibit the state from rejecting or revoking agencies’ licenses because they turn away prospective parents. Currently, about 4,407 children are in foster care in Virginia. About 1,300 of them have a goal of adoption.

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Virginia adding ‘conscience clause’ to adoption laws

MANILA, Philippines–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Global adoption of biotech crop technology continues at unprecedented rates. During 2011, an additional 12 million hectares were planted representing an annual growth rate of 8 percent over 2010, according to Clive James author of the annual biotech crop report released today by ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications).

“Unprecedented adoption rates are testimony to overwhelming trust and confidence in biotech crops by millions of farmers worldwide,” said James. “Since biotech crop commercialization in 1996, farmers in 29 countries worldwide made more than 100 million decisions to plant and replant more than 1.25 billion hectares – an area of crop land 25 percent larger than the total land mass of the United States or China.”

During 2011, 160 million hectares were planted (up from 148 million in 2010) by 16.7 million farmers in 29 countries, including 19 developing countries and 10 industrial countries. Such adoption represents a 94-fold increase in hectares planted since 1996, making biotech crops the fastest adopted crop technology in recent history.

In developing countries, adoption was twice as fast and twice as large.

Developing countries proved an appetite for biotech crop technology during 2011. Developing countries leading biotech adoption are Brazil and Argentina in Latin America; China and India in Asia; and South Africa on the continent of Africa, and together represent 40 percent of the global population.

Growth rate for biotech crops in developing countries at 11 percent or 8.2 million hectares, during 2011, was twice as fast and twice as large as industrial countries at 5 percent or 3.8 million hectares.

Developing countries grew approximately 50 percent of global biotech crops in 2011 and are expected to exceed industrial country hectarage in 2012. Additionally, more than 90 percent of farmers worldwide (equivalent to over 15 million farmers) are small resource-poor farmers in developing countries, up 8 percent or 1.3 million since 2010, said James.

Marked advancements achieved across the world.

Advancements are being experienced throughout the world, and are very important to the overall landscape of global biotech commercialization.

Highlights noted in the report include:

United States continued to be the lead producer of biotech crops globally, at 69 million hectares, with an average adoption rate of approximately 90 percent across principal biotech crops. Brazil ranks second only to the USA in hectarage, with 30.3 million hectares planted. For the third consecutive year, Brazil had the largest increase in the world at 4.9 million hectares, representing an impressive year-over-year increase of 20 percent. India celebrated a decade of successful cultivation of biotech cotton, which has transformed the cotton crop into the most productive and profitable crop in the country, with 10.6 million hectares planted during 2011. China adopted biotech cotton on 71.5 percent of cotton hectarage or 3.9 million hectares. Such growth was driven by 7 million small, resource-poor farmers, who on average farm only one-half of one hectare. Philippines reported a 20 percent increase in hectarage of biotech maize, planting >600,000 hectares. The Philippines is the only country in Asia which plants biotech maize. Africa planted 2.5 million hectares of biotech crops, and is making advancements with field trials in the regulatory process for additional biotech crop countries and crops.

“Engine” for global growth powered by Brazil.

With such large growth in Brazil, global leaders are recognizing the country as an “engine” for worldwide growth.

“Brazil has a fast-track approval system and has created three-streams of technology to support growth,” said James. “The model includes: proprietary biotech crops from the private sector adopted on more than 30 million hectares; public/private sector partnerships which has already delivered an approved product; and the capacity to develop and deliver a ‘home-grown’ biotech crop – a virus resistant bean. Collectively, these three streams of technology provide Brazil with a diversified pipeline of new biotech products for the country. This approach is highly effective for Brazil and a key lesson for other countries across the world,” said James.

Insight for future success.

During the sixteen years of biotech crop commercialization, many lessons have been learned across the industry. From regulatory and approval considerations to nurturing strong biotech pipelines, sustained growth and development has been achieved through insight and global innovation driven by industry and government alike.

“Three requirements are needed for continued success in biotech crop commercialization,” said James. “First, countries must secure political will and support; second, develop innovative game-changing trait technologies which will have high impact; and third, ensure science-based, time- and cost-effective deregulation, in order to provide farmers new technologies for timely continued growth and productivity.”

Outlook:

Considerable potential lies in continued adoption of high hectarage biotech crops (maize, soybean, cotton, and canola). During 2011, 160 million hectares of these crops were planted, and currently, there are approximately 150 million hectares available for potential adoption. Thirty million of the potential hectares are in China, which have assigned priority to biotech maize, and where demand for maize as a feed crop is growing fast as the country consumes more meat. Support for biotech crops varies across Europe, where Bt maize hectarage in 2011 was a record 114,490 hectares, up more than 25% on 2010. At the same time, BASF halted development and commercialization of all its biotech crop products for cultivation in Europe as of mid-January 2012. BASF will continue the EU regulation process for products already started such as “Fortuna,” its late bight disease resistant potato. Commercialization of biotech wheat in North America has been revisited. Similarly, many countries and companies worldwide, are now also fast-tracking the development of a range of biotech traits in wheat to improve drought tolerance, disease resistance and grain quality. Biotech wheat is expected to be commercialized before 2020.

Consistent with Bill Gates’ proposal to G20, the ISAAA approach for achieving adoption is based on the three pillars of knowledge-sharing amongst public and private sectors and between industrial and developing countries; innovation; and creative partnerships. ISAAA recommends a three-pronged 3D Strategy, based on timely, efficient and effective Development, Deregulation and Deployment of new biotech crop technologies.

For more information or the executive summary, visit www.isaaa.org.

The report is funded by two European philanthropic organizations: the Bussolera-Branca Foundation from Italy, which supports the open-sharing of knowledge on biotech crops to aid decision-making by global society; and a philanthropic unit within Ibercaja, one of the largest Spanish banks headquartered in the maize growing region of Spain.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) is a not-for-profit organization with an international network of centers designed to contribute to the alleviation of hunger and poverty by sharing knowledge and crop biotechnology applications. Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA, has lived and/or worked for the past 30 years in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa, devoting his efforts to agricultural research and development issues with a focus on crop biotechnology and global food security.

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Do Utah's friendly adoption laws make it anti-birth father?

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Emotional adoption case may weigh state, fed law

Here’s a daunting fact: Youths who age out of foster care are much more likely to drop out of school, wind up homeless, in jail or with an unintended pregnancy.

In 1998, about 17,300 youths in foster care nationally were on their own when they turned 18, according to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. That number grew to 28,000 in 2010.

Older teens need a “forever” home as much as younger children, said Diana Tolstedt, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter in Billings.

“I think before, people would say if they’re doing OK and they’re 16 and they’re in a foster home, just leave them until they age out,” Toldstedt said. “Well, these kids, they’re 16 and they’re saying they want a family.”

Tolstedt has worked for Lutheran Social Services, a part of St. John’s Lutheran Ministries, since 2005. She’s spent half her time helping find families to adopt the older kids she works with, thanks to an initial grant from the Dave Thomas nonprofit.

The other half of her time has been focused on doing parent and adoption case work for Lutheran Social Services. Now, an additional $67,500 grant will allow Tolstedt to recruit full time, expanding her work from Billings to Eastern Montana.

Her work will take her north to Wolf Point, Glasgow and Havre, east to Sidney and Miles City and towns in southeastern Montana. That will double her caseload to 25 mostly 14- and 15-year-olds, and boost the number she’s actively recruiting for to about 15.

Building relationships

“A big part of the program is building a relationship with the social workers, who deal with the cases and the foster families, and who just don’t have time to do specific things with the kids in recruitment,” Tolstedt said.

She works with Child and Family Services of the Department of Health and Human Services for the state of Montana.

But Tolstedt also spends a lot of her time getting to know the kids, meeting with them at least once a month, and studying their case files so she can find a family who would be a good fit.

One misconception many people have about children in foster care is that they’ve done something wrong to wind up away from their own families.

“They’re only in care because their parents could not or would not care for them in the way that children should be cared for,” Toldstedt said. “They haven’t done anything, and they didn’t enter foster care because something was wrong with them.”

But being passed from one foster family to another can tend to lower a child’s self-image. They also may develop behaviors or strategies to deal with the uncertainties of their lives.

That’s where finding the right family comes in, she said.

Sheila Howe, director of adoption services for Lutheran Social Services, said Tolstedt’s work can help older kids in foster care know that someone is on their side.

Working for them

“It lets them know that someone is really working for them to secure them a family, and that’s an important thing to happen to them and that they’re worthy of that,” Howe said.

Another misconception, Howe added, is that older kids aren’t interested in adoption. That might come, she said, from the idea that older teens tend to push away from their families in an attempt to gain their independence.

“But for many kids who are in the foster care system, in some ways they know so much more about the importance of family and what that means,” she said.

It means not having to move again, being able to go on vacation with their family, having someone to cheer for them at games or over a good grade. It also means someone’s there to hold their hand when they experience disappointment.

Tolstedt works to get out information on the youths she works with so prospective families can find them. That includes the television spots called “A Waiting Child” and the Heart Gallery in Rimrock Mall, where their faces and their stories are on display.

She wants to do all she can to help them find homes they can call their own.

“No child is unadoptable,” Tolstedt said. “They just haven’t been adopted.”

She has helped 22 children find permanent, loving homes. Now she can expand her efforts to help more of them.

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Adoption is for older kids, too

Amid a landscape of tragedy great and small, from divorce to murder to traffic tickets, the Vista Courthouse becomes the happiest place in town for a handful of families on Wednesdays —- adoption day.

Once a week at the courthouse, families who have reached the end of the long adoption process gather to make it official. Toddlers and teens alike dress up. Everyone is smiling.

“I get a kick out of it,” said Judge Harry Elias, who handles uncontested adoptions in Vista. It's a nice change, he said, from his usual business handling criminal cases.

By the time the adoption file lands in front of Elias, the heartache and paperwork are done, and all that's left is signing the forms to make the adoption official.

Each Wednesday, Elias brings gleeful families —- Mom, Dad, kids, aunts, grandpas and others —- into the chambers behind his courtroom.

At his desk, as the families watch, Elias signs three papers. One OKs the adoption, and a second one makes it official. The third is not really an official document, but more of a frame-ready certificate for families to display if they choose.

Last Wednesday, Malachi Moimoi joined the ranks of children whose adoptions became official with the stroke of Elias' pen.

The toddler didn't understand the significance of what was happening at a desk he was too small to see over. But his adoptive father did.

“Today is your day, buddy,” Sal Moimoi said, his voice tinged with excitement.

Last year, the San Diego Superior Court made 999 adoptions official across the county, including 394 in North County, according to numbers provided by court officials.

There are generally four kinds of adoption situations: foster children, stepchildren, private adoptions and the adoptions of adults, including those who are developmentally challenged, Elias said.

On a recent Wednesday, Heather and Brett from Riverside County came to Vista to make official their adoption of three siblings —- ages 11, 13, and 15 —- out of San Diego County's foster care system. They asked that their last names not be published out of concern for their children's safety.

“I can't have kids —- so here we are,” Heather said. “(God's) hand was in this.”

The couple met the siblings in May 2010 at a picnic to introduce foster kids to would-be adoptive parents. Heather said she and her husband were looking for elementary-school-age children, but that changed when they met the trio.

The process took nearly two years; the adoptions became official two weeks ago.

“It's finally here,” said 15-year-old Jorden, who changed his first name when he moved in with his adoptive parents. “For a couple of years, I wanted to go back to my mom. But when (county officials) said I couldn't go back to her, I wanted to get adopted.”

His youngest sister, who is 11, changed her name to Aspyn with the adoption. The middle child kept her birth name.

Like all the children at the adoption ceremonies, each of the three walked out with a teddy bear. The stuffed animals are donated so that every kid gets one. And every child, even the teenage boys, seems to want it.

Private adoption, also known as independent adoption, was the route taken by Joy and Chuck Caughey, a San Diego couple who agreed to adopt their grandson, Kingston, when he was born two years ago. Joy Caughey picked him up from the hospital when he was 2 days old and took him in as a foster child.

After the baby's parents lost their fight with the county to win back custody, the Caugheys started the process to officially adopt their grandson.

It took 14 months of paperwork and monthly visits by social workers before the adoption could become official, Joy Caughey said.

At the end of the process, Caughey said, she was given only a six-day notice to be at court to sign the papers to adopt the little blond boy.

“Of course, you jump through hoops to be here,” she said.

And last week, Yvonne and Sal Moimoi of Oceanside officially became what in practical terms they have been for nearly two years: Mom and Dad to little Malachi.

“Seemed like forever to do it, and then two minutes to finalize,” said Sal Moimoi, 42.

The couple agreed to take in the child before he was born, which happened early. Malachi, the son of one of Sal Moimoi's family members, was born three months premature. The baby weighed just 2 pounds, Moimoi said.

Malachi spent three months at Tri-City Medical Center before heading home with the Moimois.

Even though the adoption was uncontested, it still took well longer than a year. The couple said they spent thousands of dollars but declined to specify a particular amount other than Sal Moimoi's comment that “It was a lot.”

“Something as precious as this —- you don't put a price tag on it,” he said.

As his dad spoke, Malachi played, his diaper rustling underneath his pinstriped suit pants as he paused momentarily for a picture and then crawled under a bench in the courthouse hallway.

“This is a special day for him,” Sal Moimoi said. “Actually, for us, too. It's gonna be another chapter in our lives.”

Call staff writer Teri Figueroa at 760-740-5442.

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Don’t circumvent adoption, couples told

PORTSMOUTH, Va (Reuters) – Virginia would halt taxpayer-funded abortions for low-income women in cases where the fetus is severely physically deformed or mentally deficient under Republican-backed legislation passed Friday by state lawmakers.

The House of Delegates voted 64-35 to strip the Board of Health of its ability to fund abortions for Medicaid recipients when a physician certifies that the fetus would be born with a “gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or mental deficiency.”

The measure comes amid a raft of conservative bills in the Virginia General Assembly, which shifted to the right following the 2011 general election.

Separate legislation backed by the state Senate on Wednesday would require women to be given an ultrasound and the chance to see the fetal image before an abortion is performed.

Legislation that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy was narrowly defeated in a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The Virginia Progressive Caucus said in a statement that the de-funding bill passed by the House on Friday lacked compassion and put government in the middle of a painful decision.

“When you are denying Medicaid funding for abortion, for some women you are denying their ability to get one,” Democratic Delegate Jennifer McClellan argued during the House debate.

But Republican Delegate Mark Cole said the bill he co-sponsored would not ban abortions for poor women.

“All we're talking about is who's going to be forced to pay for this. There's organizations like Planned Parenthood that could pay for this,” he said.

Democratic Delegate Mark Sickles told House members that only 10 abortions fitting the bill's criteria occurred last year.

The House also approved legislation on Friday that would allow faith-based adoption agencies to deny placements based on religious beliefs, including opposition to homosexuality. Lawmakers approved the measure 71-28 without debate.

Under the measure, private adoption agencies would not be required to consider or consent to foster care or adoption placements in conflict with the religious tenets of the agency's sponsor or any organization or institution affiliated with the agency.

The measure prohibits damages claims for such refusals. It would put into state law a controversial Board of Social Services decision last year to allow state-licensed adoption agencies to consider sexual orientation, age, disability, gender, family status and political beliefs during placements.

Critics of the bill argue that its main intent is to allow discrimination against prospective parents who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Noting that a Senate version of the bill also received final committee endorsement on Friday, Equality Virginia Executive Director James Parrish said lawmakers were more concerned about protecting agencies' financial interests than children in the system.

“What we're even more concerned about, there's nothing protecting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) children in the system from being placed in unfriendly homes,” he said.

A spokesman for Republican Governor Bob McDonnell told Reuters in an email Friday that the governor would sign the adoption bill and review the abortion measure if they reach his desk.

(Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Tim Gaynor)

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Pit bull adoption program set for Saturday in SPCA auditorium

CINCINNATI – Transracial adoption has been a touchy subject that has surrounded adoption and the joining together of a new family.

Celebrate Adoption of Cincinnati is sponsoring a workshop with adoptee Rhonda Roorda, who was adopted by a white family.

Roorda says growing up she was aware she was different from her parents, but says it helped her to learn more about her African-American heritage.

Roorda will discuss the best of transracial adoption at a workshop at the Mayerson JCC Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Roorda is the author of “Trilogy of Transracial Adoption.”

For more information on Celebrate Adoption visit www.celebrateadoptioncincinnati.com.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Workshop discusses transracial adoption

GRIDLEY, IL–(Marketwire -02/03/12)- On Sunday February 5th, thousands of football fans entering Lucas Oil Stadium for the Big Game will be greeted by Super Bowl Winning Coach Tony Dungy and his wife, Lauren, in a Public Service Announcement (PSA) ad. The Dungy's 30-second spot, which frames the orphan crisis in our country today, will be featured on the exterior 12-foot electronic billboard all day in Indianapolis.

According to a national survey, 78% of Americans think the country should be doing more to encourage adoption. (Source: Harris Interactive National Adoption Attitudes Survey). The Dungy family hopes to influence more couples to consider adoption through their involvement with The Adoption Journey Project (www.adoptionjourney.org), backed in part by Lifesong for Orphans.

“We're excited to be a partner in this project aiming to raise public awareness of the orphan crisis in front of the thousands of people assembling this Sunday,” said Andy Lehman, Vice-President for Lifesong for Orphans.

The www.AdoptionJourney.org site was built for couples and families early in the consideration process about adoption. Content such as FAQ's by peer couples that have already gone through adoption, webcasts, stories featuring families and leaders involved with adoption initiatives, and biblical references related to adoption are being published on an on-going basis on the website.

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About Lifesong for Orphans
Lifesong for Orphans (www.lifesongfororphans.org) is an orphan care ministry whose mission is to “bring joy and purpose to orphans.” Lifesong creates in-country solutions for about 3,000 orphans to become strong leaders and break the cycle of orphan life in: Ukraine, India, Zambia, Liberia, and Ethiopia & Honduras. Solutions come through: Christian schools, in-country adoption/foster care, transition homes, job-skill training, Christian mentors, creating sustainable business, etc. Lifesong also provides innovative tools to remove the financial barrier to adoption. Adoption Matching Grants leverage funds and serve as a catalyst in raising money to cover adoption expenses. Interest-Free Loans maximize stewardship by helping overcome the initial 'cash-flow crunch' that many couples face, and can help new adoptive families as loan repayments are made (creating a self-sustaining fund). Lifesong has helped bring over 2,300 children into adoptive families through Grants and Loans.

About The Adoption Journey Project
The AdoptionJourney.org Project is a collective of organizations who want to break down the barriers to adoption — Bethany Christian Services, Lifesong for Orphans, and Lifeline Children's Services. The goal is to foster honest conversations about the adoption process, offer comprehensive yet easily accessible information about domestic and international adoption, and connect those who have already adopted with those who are thinking about it.

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Lifesong for Orphans Adoption Awareness Project Video to Be Played on Lucas Oil Stadium Billboard on Super Bowl Sunday

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — While millionaire John Goodman's adoption of his girlfriend sparked an uproar nationwide, it also hurt the polo mogul's ability to hide large chunks of his holdings from Wellington parents who want him to pay dearly for their 23-year-old son's death.

In a recent decision, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Glenn Kelley ruled that when a jury decides next month whether Goodman should pay Lila and William Wilson for the death of their son, Scott, it can consider the millions Goodman's girlfriend, Heather Ann Hutchins, now controls.

Previously, he had ruled that a trust Goodman created for his two children was off limits.

Because of the adoption, his girlfriend of three years now controls a third of the trust that Goodman's handlers say is worth several hundred million dollars.

“Heather Hutchins' interest in the children's trust may be considered in connection with assessing defendant John Goodman's financial resources,” Kelley wrote. He called the circumstances that prompted his change of heart “surreal.”

In a statement Thursday, Goodman's attorney, Daniel Bachi, said there was nothing untoward – much less illegal – about the 48-year-old's decision to adopt his 42-year-old girlfriend, who lives in Atlanta and has two children of her own.

Alluding to the possibility that Goodman could be sent to prison for 30 years when he stands trial for leaving Scott Wilson to drown in a canal after their cars collided in February 2010, Bachi wrote that Goodman's “continued availability” to oversee the trust is “uncertain.”

Upset by the way the trust is being administered, Goodman adopted Hutchins so she can continue “his vision and provide oversight should he become unavailable to do so,” Bachi wrote with the help of a Los Angeles press agent.

For months, the founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach has maintained he has no control over the trust he created for the two children he had with his ex-wife, Carroll. The Wilsons' attorneys accused him of hiding his assets. In September, Kelley sided with Goodman, delivering a crushing blow to the Wilsons, who hoped to seek millions in punitive damages in addition to millions to compensate them for the loss of their son.

“It is clear that the trusts at issue are irrevocable and that (Goodman) has no ownership interest in the trust assets,” Kelley wrote in September. “Moreover, (Goodman) is not a beneficiary of the trusts, has no right to receive distributions of income or profits from the trusts, has no right to borrow money from the trusts and cannot invade the principal.”

In the recent ruling, however, Kelley described the adoption as a game-changer.

Because of legal battles raging in Texas and Delaware over the administration of the trust, he said Hutchins may ultimately not be named a beneficiary of it .

“However,” Kelley wrote, “the court cannot ignore the reality of the practical impact of what Mr. Goodman has now done. (Goodman) has effectively diverted a significant portion of the assets of the children's trust to a person with whom he is intimately involved at a time when his personal assets are largely at risk in this case.”

Bachi maintained Goodman did it to protect his children.

Seeded in 1991 with $1.5 million from Goodman, the trust's value grew dramatically when his family sold the Houston-based Goodman Manufacturing Company in 2009 for $1.4 billion, according to court documents Goodman filed in Texas to have Hutchins named a beneficiary of the trust.

Although Goodman originally agreed to let Bessemer Trust Company manage the holdings, he lost confidence in its ability, Bachi said. But he had no power to fire the firm. By adopting Hutchins and making her a beneficiary, Bessemer can't ignore her wishes.

Goodman and Hutchins also signed a separate contract that assures 95 percent of the trust's assets go to his two children, Bachi said. In addition to the roughly $5 million a year she will get from the trust, Hutchins will be paid to oversee it, under terms of the contract .

In court papers filed in Texas, Goodman spelled out what the adoption was meant to accomplish: “John adopted Heather in October 2011 through a Florida court proceeding as part of a valid and binding estate planning measure.”

Such talk infuriated adoption attorneys. Adoption is meant to create families, attorney Amy Hickman said. She said she handles several adult adoptions a year, but typically it is to allow stepparents to adopt children they raised. Adoption attorney Charlotte Danciu said that occasionally, a childless elderly couple will adopt a gardener who has been like a son to them.

But both said Goodman's adoption of his girlfriend makes a mockery of the adoption process. They didn't blame Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Antonio Marin. Most adoptions are perfunctory and Marin would have no clue why the two were becoming father and daughter unless attorneys involved told him.

Hickman said the adoption could be thrown out as a sham. “It just smells,” she said.

Scott Smith,

who represents the Wilsons, said he doesn't know what would happen if the adoption is invalidated. Whether Kelley would again change his mind and block the Wilsons from telling the jury about the vast wealth held in the children's trust is unclear, he said.

Click here to view the newest documents on the Goodman's case.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Goodman's adoption might cost him

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Lipscomb University's adoption program is a slam-dunk

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia legislators have passed a bill allowing private adoption agencies to deny placements that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs, including opposition to homosexuality.

The state House voted 71-28 to pass the legislation Friday. Earlier in the day, a Senate committee endorsed its version of the Republican-backed measure on an 8-7 party-line vote. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is expected to sign the bill.

Supporters say the measure protects religious freedom. Opponents argue that the government, which contracts with dozens of private, state-licensed child placement agencies, should not sanction discrimination.

The Virginia Board of Social Services in December adopted regulations allowing discrimination by private agencies based on factors including gender, age, religion disability, sexual orientation and family status. The bill would convert those regulations into state law.

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Va. House approves anti-gay adoption rule

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Adoption of adult girlfriend might cost millionaire Polo Club founder Goodman

Posted: Thursday, February 2, 2012 11:33 am | Updated: 10:56 am, Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Dogs slated for euthanasia will be made available for adoption by a rescue the weekend before Valentine's Day at Kiwanis Park in Tempe.

The Happy Valen'Tails adoption event is the Saturday and Sunday before Valentine's Day. “E-listed” dogs – those on a shelter or animal control outfit's euthanasia list – will be rescued and made available for adoption by Pound Animals Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.) and Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary.

“This is the largest e-listed pet adoption event in Arizona,” said veterinarian Eva DeCozio-Bush, Pacacea co-founder. “Our goal is to have one weekend where not one dog is going to die.”

Dogs of various breeds, ages, and sizes from around the state will be made available. They are healthy, spayed or neutered, have current vaccinations, and are micro-chipped. Adoption fees are $55 per dog.

In addition to adoptions, raffle prizes will be given away and visitors will have the opportunity to meet dog trainers, groomers, pet sitters, veterinarians, rescue and foster groups.

Both rescues hope that the event will educate people on how to help reduce the homeless animal population and show that pound animals are not sick or dangerous rejects.

“There are a lot of good dogs (at the pound),” DeCozio-Bush said.

According to the Humane Society, from 2009 to 2010, Maricopa County had the second worst pet overpopulation problem behind Los Angeles County; From 2010 to 2011, Animal Care and Control put down 44 percent of 46,998 animals taken in.

“A lot of animals are killed for reasons that are unacceptable,” said P.A.W.S. spokesperson and veterinarian technician Cathy LaSusa.

Some of the animals euthanized in shelters suffer from treatable but contagious illness, fear and aggression due to overcrowding and stress, and chronic health issues that require treatment, according to both LaSusa and DeCozio-Bush.

LaSusa believes that “kill-shelters” can “perform a checklist of life-saving activities” to help reduce the number of pets being euthanized. They can solicit help from the public by accepting more volunteers and foster homes, and work more closely with rescue organizations.

To reduce the homeless pet population, Valley residents can spay, neuter, micro-chip, and adopt pets, according to DeCozio-Bush.

“Educating the public is a huge deal,” she said. “Animals can't speak for themselves.”

Angela Piazza, a senior studying journalism at Arizona State University, is an intern for the East Valley Tribune. Contact her at (480) 898-6514 or tribintern@evtrib.com.

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WELLINGTON, FL (WFLX)  John Goodman's attorney has released a statement regarding Goodman's adoption of his adult girlfriend Heather Colby Hutchins.

Goodman is accused of killing 23-year-old Scott Wilson in a drunk driving crash two years ago and faces both criminal charges and a civil suit.

Some critics wonder if the adoption was designed to protect his assets against a wrongful death lawsuit filed against him.

According to his attorney, nothing in the arrangement with Hutchins is illegal and the adoption will have no effect on the civil proceedings.

In an emergency motion for relief filed Jan 26, the victim's lawyers will look to find out the reasons relating to the adult adoption of Heather Hutchins.

Hutchins, also known as Heather Colby, is listed in the lawsuit as the 42-year-old girlfriend of Goodman.

The 6-page suit states the adoption was finalized on Oct. 13, 2011 in Dade County.

“The adoption declares Ms. Hutchins to be Mr. Goodman's child and legal heir, entitled to all of the rights and privileges of Mr. Goodman's natural born children,” the suit reads.

It later goes on to state, “While there is nothing unusual about an adult adoption, the critical fact here is that Ms. Hutchins is Mr. Goodman's 42-year-old girlfriend.”

The lawsuit considers the adoption of Hutchins as a “game-changer” and as grounds to now include the assets of the children's trust, at least in some fashion, in the punitive damages calculation. 

“Significantly, the children's trust provides the mandatory payment of 70 percent of the income of the trust to a child once that child reaches the age of 35,” the suit said. “While none of Goodman's natural children have obtained the age of 35, Ms. Hutchins is 42 and is, therefore, immediately entitled to her proportionate share of income generated by the trust (i.e. one-third).”

The order also states that the adoption borders on the “surreal” and takes the court into a legal twilight zone.

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