The Costs of Adoption: What to Expect

The cost of adoption varies depending on the type and the specifics of your situation. While it may be possible for a public adoption to cost less than $1,000, you can’t always rely on that figure. In some cases, the expenses associated with adopting a child might be in excess of $50,000 when all is said and done.

Adoption is often a costly and drawn-out process, but there’s a good reason for that. These hurdles are partly in place to make sure that the people who end up being approved are genuinely committed to the role of parenting these children in need.

Allow for More Costs Than You Expect

It’s likely that your emotions will be tried just about as much as your finances. No matter what, you should expect the process to take a significant amount of time.

It’s a good idea to set aside more funds than you think you’ll need and give yourself plenty of time. You don’t want this to be a stressful process for the child, your partner, or other family members – not to mention yourself.

There are different types of adoption, each one with its own costs and resultant price range. It’s helpful if you know what to expect from each and learn which one is right for your situation ahead of time. This will allow you to handle everything more smoothly, avoiding wasted time and money while ensuring the best possible outcome.

Help Is Out There

If you’re feeling overwhelmed already, it may help to remember that you don’t have to cover all the costs yourself. Adopting a child is a major endeavor, and trying to handle everything alone often turns into an exercise in futility.

Luckily, it’s easier than ever to reach out for help nowadays. You’d be surprised by all the places you can find it and how many people are willing to pitch in. Numerous parents have utilized online fundraisers to pay for the myriad adoption expenses. Grants and personal loans are also viable options.

Adopting Through Public Welfare

A public agency adoption is one route you can take if you’re working with a tight budget. You’ll start off as a foster parent when adopting through the public welfare system.

There’s a specific agency for each state that’s in charge of placing foster children with adoptive families. These agencies are responsible for distributing licenses, overseeing kids’ education, and providing support when it’s needed.

The benefit of adopting through foster care is that it saves a substantial amount of money when you compare it to other adoption options. You can usually cover all associated costs of adopting a child this way with $1,000 or less because foster adoptions come through the help of federal programs that provide assistance to foster families. These are programs meant to entice adoptive parents because, sadly, foster care kids have often already passed the “prime” age for adoption.

The foster care system is also full of kids who have had difficult experiences and likely suffered trauma because of them, or they may have a disability that requires special care. There will be more obstacles to overcome than most children face, and the adoptive parents will need to step up in every possible way to facilitate that.

If you think adopting a child through the foster care system is right for you, many helpful resources may be found through the Children’s Bureau, which is a federal agency. This is where you can find a trove of information on adoption-related topics and reliable assistance to guide you through the process. The Children’s Bureau also breaks things down for every state, so you’ll know you’re looking at the guidelines that are relevant to you.

Independent and Private Adoptions

Other options include private and independent adoption. With private, it’s up to the parents to find an attorney or work directly with the adoption agency that they choose. Either way, the process is similar. A home study, placement, counseling, training, and legal documentation are the steps that comprise this route to adoption.

But the price isn’t always consistent going directly through the adoption agency. It may be as low as $30,000 and as high as $60,000, leaving considerable room for uncertainty in the middle. For independent, on the other hand, you might want to retain a New Jersey adoption lawyer.

The obstacles between potential adoptive parents and children are there in part to make sure they’re in it for the long haul. It’s a way of verifying not just that they are fit to be parents – they also have to be the right fit for this particular child.

If you’re trying to figure out adoption and feel lost, you are not alone. Help is out there, so give us a call today at (856) 429-5005 for a New Jersey adoption lawyer or request a consultation with Donald Cofsky.