How do couples afford the cost of adoption?

Answer 1

Wow. You've had some real jerks answer this question.

The answer is based upon what kind of adoption you are doing. There's a big difference between domestic and foreign adoptions -- who's involved in the process and what money is needed when.

In both cases, a couple will be getting help from the government. Certain expenditures can be applied against your income tax -- big difference between the two are when and how much.

Generally, couples need the money up front and then can get tax credits to recoup this money.

If couples have a church home, ask for help there. Even the simple thing of helping organize multi-family garage sales or charity auctions can help defray the costs. Sometimes its just a question of biting the bullet and doing without.

They need to do some research as different adoptions generally cost differing amounts. There's also the problem of how much risk is going to be involved. I've had contact with some families who have had two adoption efforts fail before they finally successfully completed a third adoption. No fault of their own. Worst of all, all their time and investment was lost.

Adoption is a worthy endeavor. The gene pool is quite diverse enough. If there is an orphan in the world then in my humble opinion adoption should be preferred.

I say this because I've been married for twenty years. My wife and I made the concerted effort to not have biological children. When we determined the time was right, we adopted one little girl. Now we're in the process of adopting a second. We're not wealthy by any means. However, we have a lot of love to share and have been planning for a family for a long time.

Answer 2

Congrats on thinking about adoption! If you are planning this route to creating a family, I wish you as much joy as I've found as an adoptive mom of one beautiful little girl.

Keep in mind that adoption expenses can be defrayed by a tax credit (currently $10,000) off your Federal tax return. You have to prove that your expenses totalled $10,000 or more, and then you can take up to $2000 off your taxable income each year for up to 5 years. It basically does what insurance plans do for families who need coverage for prenatal and labor costs. Since adoptive families can't get insurance coverage for their "labor and delivery" ;-) this tax credit is pretty helpful.

Also, some states offer a subsidy for adopting children from the welfare system, or for adopting special-needs children. You could contact your child welfare system within your county or state to get more info on that.

Some churches or other faith-based institutions can help families raise funds. I've heard of a lot of families getting help from this route. There are some grants and funds available for adoptive families - you can google "adoption financial aid" and get a ton of info that will hopefully be useful.

Much luck and I hope this was helpful!

Answer 3

why not have a child of your own? or adopt an embryo (snowflake adoption)?

adopting a child is raising another mothers' child. the birthbond is still there as the child has 9 months to bond with their natural mother before birth and not only that but the newborn can recognize their mother's voice, heartbeat, and scent *right at birth*! (http://www.birthpsychology.com/lifebefore/earlymem.html)

you can't erase their connection, so why adopt?

i know many adult and even teen adoptees who are returning to their natural families, changing back their names, and even getting re-adopted (http://www.adoptingback.com/).

infant adoption (as opposed to fostering) is primarily a 20th century experiment here in North America, in part rooted in psychologist J.B. Watson's claim that it's all Nurture and learning that counts. he discounted biological and genetic influences and he's been shown wrong.

also, see what some adoptees are saying now they're speaking out about their experiences: http://www.originscanada.org/adoptees

i don't think that paying money to adopt a baby is worth it in the end. you'll never get what you paid for (a "child of your own")

Answer 4

I would love to adopt, but I definetly don't have the money right now. I seriously don't get why it costs so much. I would think it wouldn't cost so much, that way more kids could be adopted?

Answer 5

We are taking out a second mortgage on our home and we are trying to go thru an Attorney and adopt independently and privately instead of using an Agency.
Agencies cost around $25K and you can hire an Attorney and do it privately for about $5K-$10K

Answer 6

I think adoption is only for the very wealthy. But that is just my opinion.

Answer 7

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Answer 8

they dont buy a car