Common Types of Adoption Fees

Adoption can be complex and expensive. Researching answers about adoption fees and adoption expenses is a great first step to starting your adoption process because you’ll be better prepared for the financial aspects of this journey.

Although adoption has many emotional stages, it’s also a practical process. Part of fulfilling the dream of becoming a parent is developing a plan for things like child adoption fees. If you are like most hopeful adoptive parents, you have a lot of questions.

Fortunately, you are in the right place to find the answers you seek. Below is an introduction to (1) different types of adoption expenses you’d be expected to pay and (2) what you should look for in professionals’ adoption agency fees.

If you have specific questions about adoption prices, you can get free information now when you call us at 1-800-ADOPTION. Prospective birth parents searching for details about child adoption fees can find a complete guide for birth parent financial assistance here. You can also fill out our free contact form to connect with one of our adoption specialists today.

The Most Common Types of Adoption Fees

There are many resources adoption agencies offer hopeful adoptive parents to have as smooth of an adoption as possible. When a family is paying for adoption, they are paying to support all necessary functions of the journey; not to mention the other features of an adoption agency — like advertising — that help find them successful adoption opportunities.

All of these items contribute to adoption agency fees and overall adoption prices. And, there are some general categories that will be represented in almost all professionals when talking about the types of child adoption fees that will contribute to your overall cost.

But, not all professionals’ adoption fees are made equal. The adoption agency fees you are quoted and the services rendered in return will differ depending on the adoption professional you work with.

Some adoption consultants and adoption facilitators may even mislead families about their fees by lowballing the total adoption fees. But, then charge you later in the process with hidden fees. You won’t find that with American Adoptions.

We are a national infant adoption agency that is committed to honesty and transparency when it comes to variable adoption expenses and our adoption agency fees. Any family considering adoption has the right to know what they’re expected to pay.

Total honesty is the first step toward building a trusting connection that is vital for a successful adoption. And to be better prepared for the adoption fees, below are some you will need to pay:

Fixed Agency Fees

Except in independent adoptions, adoption agency fees cover a number of important services and with American Adoptions that means you benefit from:

• Adoptive family education

• Birth parent support

• 24/7 support

• Video adoption profile services

• Post-placement support

• And more

The key word to look for when learning about adoption agency fees is “fixed.” This means that no matter how much work agency staff put into your adoption, or what unexpected obstacles arise, the adoption fees from the agency won’t go up.

Some agencies do not have fixed fees and will surprise hopeful adoptive families with new fees later on in the process.

Variable Adoption Costs

Typically, an adoption professional will quote you an average range for the total price of adoption rather than one specific number. The number they often quote is based on a best-case scenario, and doesn’t give an honest or realistic impression of the costs associated with adoption, especially when an adoption opportunity doesn’t work out.

The reason for this is variable adoption costs. These are adoption expenses that can change depending on each unique adoption situation.

Nearly all variable adoption costs are related to the needs of the prospective birth parent. These can be things like:

• Medical Expenses: When a prospective birth parent chooses adoption, her medical expenses will be covered by a combination of available insurance and adoption fees the hopeful adoptive family pays. Depending on the insurance policy and any medical needs that arise during pregnancy and delivery, these adoption expenses can vary.

• Legal Expenses: During the adoption process, the adoptive parents cover the legal work for the prospective birth parents and for themselves. This legal representation will help with things like termination of parental rights and legal consent to the adoption. Because of differences in state laws and the amount of legal work required for the specific adoption situation, these fees vary.

• Living Expenses: In some cases, living expenses can also be covered for the prospective birth parent. Living expenses could include things like housing costs and groceries for the potential birth parent. The amount of living expenses depends on the birth parent’s unique situation and the laws of the state they live in. This can change the total price to adopt a child.

What You Should Look for When Learning About Adoption Agency Fees

There shouldn’t be any hesitation from a professional when you ask about adoption agency fees. The first thing to look for from them is honesty.

Half-answers, estimates that are significantly lower than average and vague responses are not good signs. Being aware of the price of adoption and all of the adoption fees involved is crucial for a hopeful adoptive family preparing for the adoption process.

At American Adoptions, you’ll always get an honest answer. We are committed to complete transparency when it comes to our adoption agency fees and the other adoption expenses you can expect during the process.

Another thing to look for in an adoption agency is how they handle adoption disruptions. While disruptions don’t happen to most families, it is always a possibility. Because disruptions often happen later in the process, a good amount of adoption expenses may already be paid when a family experiences a disruption. What happens to that money?

Many agencies have a “rollover” policy, which means they will roll those adoption expenses over toward the next adoption opportunity. In plain English, this means that the agency keeps your money. If you would like to work with a different agency, or if you want to step away from adoption to recover emotionally from the loss of the disruption, you will not be able to get your funds back.

This is not how we do things. American Adoptions has a Risk-Sharing Program that refunds adoptive families in the case of an adoption disruption. That way you are in charge of your funds and free to do what is best for you.

Our goal is always to serve your family in the best way possible. We’re your guide through the entire adoption process, and that includes protecting your financial investment. Our program has saved adoptive families more than $4.6 million since 2009.

If you have more questions about adoption expenses or our specific adoption agency fees, you can get more free information now when you call us at 1-800-ADOPTION.

If you're pregnant, considering adoption and looking for information on adoption costs, complete this online form to connect with a professional today. They can answer all of your important questions and explain adoption financial assistance for birth parents. 

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