What are the costs of 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, but advertisements seeking birth parents in newspapers or magazines is not allowed in all of them. Costs for advertising for birth parents can be as high as $5,000. Adoptive parents may find that they pay expenses for birth parents who then change their minds and that money is not reimbursed. Some couples have had more than one arrangement with a birth parent fall through. Some states require that adoptive parents pay for separate legal representation for birth parents in addition to their own legal representation. If the child has medical difficulties, birth expenses can be much higher. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for details regarding health coverage for your adopted child.
