Adoption Costs: Still high but now affordable
Building a family has accompanying costs but so does adopting a child. Not all cases have to be expensive, though. Adopting from the foster care system may only involve little or no cost at all, and the state usually provides adoptive families with subsidies for the child. Adoptions of step-parent and kin are likewise not very expensive and may require only a small fee.
However, not all cases of adoptions belong to any of the scenarios mentioned above so that adoptive parents will have to ask for assistance from public or private agencies. It is here that costs can soar. Domestic adoptions can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more. International adoptions, on the other hand, can range from $7,000 to $30,000.
What are the fees for?
Adoption fees can be within the range mentioned above but when other factors are considered, the fees can somewhat exceed. Typically, fees include the services provided by agencies, birthmother expenses, travel expenses, legal requirements, or the child's visa for international adoptions.
If you have limitations in your finances, ask the agency about payment schedules or sliding scale fees to reduce the costs. Today, the number of resources that help couples manage the costs of adoption has significantly increased, such as employer benefits, loans, as well as tax benefits that, in some cases, may apply to adoptions in public agencies.
While small fees are necessary up front, requirements that tell you to immediately pay the fees are worth raising a red flag. Be sure to check for the agency's legality by verifying their state license.
How to afford an adoptions?
Many adoptive parents are well informed of the exorbitant fees associated with adopting a child. While they can afford to raise a child, affording adoption can make them take a step back. However, affording adoption is now more possible with the help of financial assistance in the form of tax credits and employer adoption benefits.
Do not allow the long process of adoption keep you from realizing your dream of building a family through adoption. Adopting a child normally takes time and a lot of effort on your side but everything will pay off as soon as the process is completed.
Adoption requires planning, both long-term and short term. Adoptive parents may utilize this time to get to know the child they want to adopt and begin building close relationships.
Adoption costs can be daunting but strong motivations of finally coming home with a child can make everything worthwhile.
