I have debated writing this post for a while now. Do I really want people to know the nitty gritty? Do I want to give people leverage to judge this decision to adopt? Will it scare people away from pursuing adoption? But when it comes down to it, this blog is about the truth and the financial aspect of adoption is not something that can be ignored and it is not something that will go away. Agencies still need fees to run, lawyers will still charge hundreds per hour, you will still need attorneys to make the adoption legal, birth parents will still need assistance.
So...here is a general break down of our expenses to date as well as anticipated expenses. I write not to elicit a jaw drop, nor to make it appear we are "well off." We are fortunate to have some good old fashioned "sweat equity" in our home, which covers a portion. We also save as much as we can, follow a budget as closely as possible, and live within our means. We have no credit cards. Our only debt is our home and one student loan. We sacrifice and do our best to spend our money wisely.
January 2011:
Homestudy- $1,400
Fingerprints- $96
Medical-(already had recent physicals so we didn't have to do this at this time)
March 2011:
Homestudy Update- $500
Fingerprints (x4)- $192
Medicals- $160
Fall 2012:
Homestudy Update #2- $500
Fingerprints (x5)- 240
Medicals- $310
Summer 2013:
Homestudy Update #3- $500
Fingerprints (x2)- $96
Medical- $30
Profiles (we have had to do 5 so far)- $890
Fees paid since match:
Agency fee- $3,000
Birth parent expenses-
Total for agency 1- $11,914
We have also contracted with a facilitation center, which means a second domestic adoption once this one is finalized.
Facilitation Center Fee: $12,000
Total between the 2: $23,91
All of the above has already been paid. The following are anticipated fees.
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