…….. A few seconds of silence, that is usually what follows when I answer a prospective adoptive family’s question in regards to the fees associated with the adoption process. There are also a few occasions where the tone of the adoptive mother/father changes as if I just offended them. And in many ways yes, I have offended them!
Here is a family who has been guided to adoption; they have opened their hearts to the idea of completing their family by this Act of Love! They are doing research and start looking for the right fit with an agency who will guide them in this extraordinarily wonderful process. Excitement is in the air only to come to a stop when they hear what the cost of adoption is.
Please don’t see it as a dead end but a quick stop to gather more information on your adoption journey.
The first step is to truly understand where the fees go. An agency fee covers many items for an adoption agency.  Many agencies, like Premier Adoption Agency, are non-profit agencies also known as 501(c)(3). The fees help cover a wide range of items. For example, advertising to locate and secure an adoptive placement, file set up and presentations, orientation of adoptive family, homestudy reviews, all pre and post placement counseling services to birth and adoptive families, placement coordination, legal counsel, control over placement, agency overhead, and program expansion costs to name a few. If you ever have any questions on fees and just don’t quite understand how the fees are being distributed, please contact your agency and ask them to explain the process and don’t be afraid to keep asking questions until the process makes sense to you.
Once you have an agency of interest located, you need to work on putting together an adoption plan or time line for your adoption procedures and fees.
For example:
| Step | Procedure | Fees |
| 1 | Homestudy | $1,900(example) |
| 2 | Adoption Program Retainer Fee | $5,000(example) |
| 3 | Living Expenses | $ estimated amount family decides on |
| 4 | Final Placement Agency Fee | $ depends on sliding scale |
| 5 | Post Placement Supervisory Reports | $ 1,800(example) |
| 6 | Adoption Attorney for Finalization | $2,000(example) |
| Total= | $$$$ |
Once you have your plan and time line prepared, you will have a better idea of what your adoption plan looks like and what fees you will be expecting. The next step is getting the funding together for your adoption. There are so many financial resources for adoptive families the trick is finding them!
The adoption tax credit is one of the biggest resources for an adoptive family. You can currently claim an adoption credit up to $13,170.00 per eligible child. Adoptive families should document all expenses incurred in the adoption process. For example, agency fees, birthmother expenses, attorney fees, transportation fees. I highly encourage families to contact their tax professional and obtain more information on the adoption tax credit.
There are also many grant and adoption loan programs for adoptive families. I recommend doing an overall search on affording adoption. I have come across many grant programs where you have to submit an application along with a copy of your homestudy. I always like to tell families you have nothing to lose by applying for assistance. What’s the worst that can happen? You end up right where you started!
I recommend looking into the following grant program and interest free loan program:
Get family and friends involved and start fundraising! There are millions of fundraising ideas and it is something fun you can work on while waiting for placement of a child.
For a few ideas on fundraising check out the following site: http://www.affordingadoption.com/fundraisers.php
Also many families are not aware that their employer or health insurance company may offer adoption benefits or incentives. We have had families receive up to $11,000 in adoption assistance from their employer or health insurance company.
Last, but definitely not least,   the majority of adoption agencies are licensed non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies; therefore, if anyone would like to assist your family on your adoption journey and donate on your behalf it is considered a donation and they may claim it on their taxes.
There have been families who have conducted baby showers by mail. They send a letter to friends and family informing them they are expecting as they have officially started the adoption process. They ask if they would like to give the family a gift for the upcoming baby and to please make a donation on their behalf directly to the adoption agency. Slowly $ starts coming in, $15 here $300 there and next thing you know they have raised $6,000 in donations!
Also, don’t forget to reach out to local businesses as many are happy to assist good causes.
As you can see, I can keep rambling and rambling about anything ADOPTION. My biggest hope and wish is that I am helping families by informing them on everything there is to know about adoption. The process, affording, choices, laws, etc…
The biggest mistake an adoptive family can do is not ask questions. If ever something is unclear and just doesn’t make sense, please contact your agency and ask them to clarify the process. We are here for you and can’t wait to help you complete your family!
With much Love,
Isabel Pantelakis
Domestic Program Coordinator
Premier Adoption Agency
[...] Affording Adoption | Premier Adoption They are doing research and start looking for the right fit with an agency who will guide them in this extraordinarily wonderful process. Excitement is in the air only to come to a stop when they hear what the cost of adoption is. … As you can see, I can keep rambling and rambling about anything ADOPTION. My biggest hope and wish is that I am helping families by informing them on everything there is to know about adoption. The process, affording, choices, laws, etc‚Ķ … … Read more: Affording Adoption | Premier Adoption [...]
Hey Isabel! We just had Isabella’s “Baby Hope” adoption finalized last Monday! YEAH!! We were wondering if there is a place on the website we can let other prospective adoptive couples know of our adoption story and our absolute LOVE of Premier Adoptions. LOVE YA!
–Sophia Johnson