Does Anyone Know Why?

Question

Exactly why does it cost money to adopt a child? I understand the background checks, and making sure the parents are the right ones for the child, but why is it so expensive? If you adopted a baby, you'd be paying, not only the money to adopt, but also the money to take care of that baby for 18 years. Or when you adopt, does the state or government send you a check to aid in the care of that child on a monthly basis? Kind of like with foster care? Also, what are the odds of a couple of 24 year olds being able to adopt a child? Still young, educated, recent college grad, and able to support both? I saw the question about adopting, and it made me curious. I've often thought about adopting children when my guy and I are ready for kiddos, as I have a lot of fear and paranoia about the birthing process. lol Which i'm sure i'll get over one day, but anyway, for future references sake...

Answer 1

THAT REALLY STINKS, KIDS ARENT FOR SALE, AND THERE SHOULDNT BE ANY OTHER COSTS THAN THE BASIC ONES.

Answer 2

My husband & I recently started the adoption process and I'm an attorney who represents children in the DCFS foster care system. It's different depending on your area, but I can answer some of your questions based on what's true here (Illinois).
It costs about $25,000 if you're working with an agency. It's a lot of money, but most agencies are not-for-profit so the cost is legitimate. They have to pay for their offices, employees, advertising, counselors, sometimes medical or living expenses for birthmoms, legal expenses, etc.
Adopting through an adoption attorney can be cheaper sometimes, but it is sometimes more expensive. You might have to do some of the work on your own (advertising to find a birthmother, etc.) & pay for medical or living expenses for the birthmom on your own. In the end if she changes her mind & keeps the baby, you've lost all that money. Most adoption agencies have you pay the majority of the adoption fee when the child is placed in your home so you have a bit of a guarantee that you're not going to wind up broke & without a child.
Either way, there are a lot of programs that provide grants or low-interest loans for adoption (I think the Dave Thomas Foundation has some). There is also a huge federal tax benefit (up to $10,000) to help people to adopt. Some agencies offer special programs to provide financial assistance too. For example, the agency we're working with has a foundation established by football player Gayle Sayers to assist families in adopting African American children; because there are often a greater number of African American children placed for adoption, they wanted to ensure that families were not precluded from adopting these children for financial reasons so the foundation pays $15,000 toward the adoption cost (so the adoptive parents only have to pay $10,000).
In the research I've done, international adoption costs about the same (around $25,000) as domestic adoption.
Adopting through DCFS is usually free (the government pays for everything), but the children are usually older, have special needs, and there is sometimes the risk that they could be returned to the birth parents. I think there are some cases where you are still eligible for a monthly payment for the child after the adoption of a special needs child even if you adopt that child through a private agency.
I think you could adopt at 24; it all depends on the agency you work with & the birthmom. Some agencies have restrictions on who they will work with (ex: must be married, a certain age, a certain religion, etc.), but some do not. (For international adoptions, most countries have restrictions too.) Once you decide what agency to work with, it's up to the birthmom. Some want older couples, younger couples, single parents, people with pets, etc. It's all just personal preference.
Hope this is helpful!

Answer 3

There are a number of agencies, private and government involved with each adoption, and a large number of man hours, all these things cost money. There is also the cost that the state or other institution must recover for the reasonable care they have provided the child, and will continue to provide other children.

Theres also lawyers, and their hours. Document fees, someone has to put together, read, check, copy and file those documents, and the social workers who follow up on each adoption.

It is a costly endevor, but for the most part all the money is rightly appropriated for all aspects of the process.

Answer 4

What many people are doing now is becoming foster parents. If those children become available for adoption the foster parents have first option to adopt them and the costs are minimal, they've already been screened and deemed appropriate to handle children by the state. The downside is the children you care for who are eventually returned to their families that separation from a truly maternal person can be unbearable.

Answer 5

I have often wondered the same thing. It is also said that "perfect, white" babies fetch more than any other. I guess where there is a market, there will always be those to exploit it.

I understand your fear of birth, but you'll get over it :) However, there are so many children who need good homes, I think adoption is admirable.

My recommendation would be to find a reputable agency through word of mouth and let them help you when you are ready.

Answer 6

Ya, try the foster thing. My mother in law does that, she adopted one of them. The foster kids get WIC and medicaid automatically too. I don't know too much about the adoption process though. I guess the gov't has to make money somehow.

Answer 7

There are lawyer's fees, and other court fees, filing fees, etc. I think it also keeps people from adopting that cannot afford to raise the child properly. I think the best way is to become a foster parent and go from there.

Answer 8

That's probably why so many people adopt overseas. It's still expensive, but at least the money goes to the orphanage and you don't have to wait as long.

Answer 9

I always wondered the same thing. If there is a child out there that one person neglected and another is willing to take in and treat as their own.......there should be no other costs than those of daily living. i totally agree with you!!