Why is adoption so expensive?

Question

Just read a question on adoption and was just wondering where all the money goes--I heard it can be around 30 or 40 thou to adopt.

Answer 1

You heard wrong - it's not that expensive.

Answer 2

Domestic Public Agency Adoptions
Up-front fees and expenses range from zero to $2,500, including travel and attorney’s fees. Most states will reimburse non-recurring adoption expenses up to a set limit. Federal and State adoption subsidies may be available for the ongoing care of children with special physical, mental, or emotional needs; the adoption subsidy agreement must be negotiated and signed before the child’s adoption is finalized in court. However, there is a process whereby adoption subsidy can be applied for or re-negotiated after finalization, but only under certain conditions. Make sure to be clear on what these certain conditions are. It is a good idea to have an attorney present at the subsidy agreement so that all sides understand what is being agreed upon.


Domestic Private Agency Adoptions
Licensed private agencies charge fees ranging from $4,000 to $30,000, which include costs for birth parent counseling, adoptive parent home study, and preparation, child’s expenses, post-placement supervision until the adoption is finalized, and a portion of costs for overhead and operating expenses. Some agencies have sliding fee scales based on the family income over the proceeding one or more taxable years. Families who look for their own birth parent and find an agency which will provide designated or identified adoptive services (such as birth parent counseling, home study, and supervision services) often find this option less costly.

Domestic Independent Adoptions
Adoptive families who pursue independent adoptions report spending $8,000 to $30,000 or more depending on several factors. Independent adoptions are now allowed in most states. Adoptive parents may find that they pay birth parent expenses for birth parents that then change their minds and that money is not reimbursed. Some states require that adoptive parents pay for separate representation for birth parents, in addition to their own legal representation. If the child has medical difficulties, birth expenses can be much higher.


Intercountry Private Agency or Independent Adoptions
Fees can range from $7,000 to $25,000 which include agency fees, and immigration processing fees, and court costs. However, there may be additional for the following items which are not usually included in the above mentioned estimate:

Child foster care (usually in South and Central American adoptions).
Parents’ travel and in-country stay to process the adoption abroad (length of stay and number of required trips varies).
Escorting fees, charged when parents do not travel, but instead hire escorts to accompany the child on the flight to the parents’ country.
Child’s medical care and treatment (occasionally in South and Central America).

Answer 3

Depends on what kind of adoption. But a lot of the money goes to legal fees and the cost of things like a home inspection.

Answer 4

Its absurd... It should not be called adoption... It should be called arranged child purchasing...
All of the fees and what not... are a crock of $hit!! These people want so desperately to be parents and they are charged an arm and a leg because people know they will pay to be parents. It really is sad.. it's not "adopting" any more.

Answer 5

I seen your question and I totally agree that the cost of adoption is outrageous because me and my husband have looked into it to because we are looking into it too and it ranges from 10,000 - 100,000 dollars to adopt a child.