So I know most of you who have never adopted are going, "What in the world makes adoption so expensive??" I decided I'd give you a little insight into where ALL this money goes! (for domestic adoption through an agency)
1. Application fee!
2. Medical expenses for the birth mother (if she doesn't have insurance), including the birth
3. Home Study Fee - varies between under a thousand to close to $2000 depending on the agency. This is when a social worker comes into your home and "interviews" you as well as looks at your home to see if you are suitable parents and have a good home situation. They look at everything from you finances to your home set-up to your views on education and discipline.
4. Advertising fees to locate birth mom
5. Counseling and therapy for both birth mom and adoptive families
6. Continual phone support and coordination for the birth mom and adoptive families
7. Housing, utilities, clothing, food, etc... for the birth mom
8. Case manager for both birth mom and adoptive family to coordinate the adoption
9. Support of adoptive family in hospital and coordination with medical services
10. Relinquishment of parental rights
11. Notification of birth father if needed (paternity search)
12. Coordination with adoptive family legal advisor
13. Finger printing, criminal history check, child abuse check, etc...
14. Post-placement evaluations (usually 2-4 of them)
This is list is not all inclusive...so as you can see, there's a lot to pay for! Each agency varies a little, but they all have their pros and cons. It just takes a lot of researching to find your fit!
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