Whenever I bring up adoption, whenever I hear about or read about it or even breathe a syllable, I feel like one word is always present: cost.
So lets get the purple gorilla out into the middle of the room. Adoption cost varies. It depends on which type of adoption plan you choose, your agency, what types of legal battles you might incur, what placements you are open to (if you go the foster care route), and the list goes on. There are a few common expenses related to the adoption process:
Depending on the age, gender, and country you choose, international adoptions average between $25,000 and $50,000. This includes home studies, travel expenses, attorneys, agency fees, child passport, and fees that the country charges for you to adopt from them. (Spoiler: I hope to have one of our beautiful friends on here soon to tell you about their gorgeous journey of international adoption.) Domestic/Private Domestic or private adoption is when infants are voluntarily placed for adoption by their birth parents. There are two main types: an agency adoption and independent adoption. Average Cost: (Adoption Agency) $20,000 - $45,000; (Independent Adoption) $15,000 - $40,000. Foster Care Adopting children through foster care is arguably one of the more affordable options. However, families do need to be prepared for the responsibilities and challenges that come along with that commitment. The system is designed to reunite families, not necessarily to build yours. There are absolutely children in foster care who are available right now, today for adoption and would love nothing more than to be welcomed into a loving home, but most are needing families to love and care for them while their birth families do their best to pick up the broken pieces of their lives and try to build their foundation up enough to have their children returned. If a child becomes available for adoption, the government does try to help as much as possible. There are some subsidies and tax credits available. But, the children must qualify as "special needs:"
There might also be times (after your foster child has been with your family a year) that you might decide to intervene on behalf of your child if you feel their welfare is being threatened by the bio family. In these cases you often have to hire your own attorney. (Keep in mind, many costs and circumstances depend on your agency.) That being said, average cost is $0 - $5,000 after possible tax credits. Bottom line—there are many paths to a family. For more on how to help us on our journey, visit our puzzle fundraiser page. **Sources: American Adoptions, Homes with Hope, and Adopt Together. All of the figures are estimations and taken through surveys. It is important for you to do your own research. xoxo
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AuthorWriting is really my outlet, so you'll mostly see my prose on here. But William might occasionally make a guest appearance. Archives
May 2021
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