What living expenses can be paid on behalf of a birth mother?
It is legal in California for the adopting family to pay the pregnancy related living expenses for the birth mother. The Academy of California Adoption Lawyers developed guidelines that have been accepted and utilized by judges throughout the state in determining appropriate support. Under those guidelines, the adopting parents can generally pay the birth mother’s rent, utilities, food and other expenses during the last trimester and six to eight weeks post-partum (depending upon whether the delivery was vaginal or C-section). Follow this link to those statutes on this site. It is a crime (adoption fraud and/or against anti-slavery statutes) for a birth mother to receive a lump payment not connected with actual expenses or for her to receive extraordinary “gifts” such as a new car. The well-known “stories” about birth mothers making a fortune by placing their babies for adoption are just that–stories.
Related Questions
- How are temporary funds handled? How do I determine what living expenses are paid, whos to drive what car, and how personal property is divided on a temporary basis?
- Can a birth mom who refuses state aid recieve housing and food assistance for the duration of the pregnancy only and medical expenses paid
- Does the Birth Mother have to pay legal fees and expenses?
