I want to adopt but it cost to much any suggestions?

Question

how can i afford to adopt?

Answer 1

do it through a public agency not a private one do like foster to adopt and it is free

Answer 2

I think this is the most common question asekd on this site.  People do not really understand adoption costs, because there are so many variables.  But it is really pretty straightforward -- here they are......

1.  Private adoption through a licensed agency:  $10-$40,000.

2.  Private adoption through an attorney:  $10-$50,000.

3.  International adoption:  $20-$40,000.

4.  Foster to Adopt through your state protective Services agency:  $0-$2000.

5.  Private adoption through an individual:  $3000-??? (You risk losing any money you put toward this adoption because in individual has the right to walk away from the plan and there is no agency to absorb the financial loss.)  

6.  Foster care:  $0 - $400/month.  May lead to adoption in some cases.

I hope this helps!  Good luck!!

Answer 3

If your heart is set on adopting internationally or privately domestically, the cost is what it is.  There's a LOT that goes into those adoptions that make the cost as high as it is.  But...there are some options.

Tax Credits:

The federal government has a tax credit that you may qualify for.  Go to http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html for more information.  Some states also have tax credits.  Contact the Department of Revenue for your state (use the blue pages in the phone book or Google for it) to see if your state has one.

Grants & Loans

Google for grants and loans that you may want to apply for.  Here's a site http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/... that is an example of that.  There are also low interest loans to help fund adoptions...you can find information by using Google.  We took out a second mortgage on our home to finance most of our adoption.

Employer Benefits:

Many employers offer adoption assistance benefits.  Ask the HR department of your or your spouse's company.  If they don't, you can request that benefits be implemented.  The Dave Thomas foundation has a great toolkit to help you lobby for those benefits.  The information can be found by going to http://www.davethomasfoundationforadopti... and ordering the toolkit.

Fund Raisers:

You can Google for adoption fund raisers.  This can be anything...I've heard of people doing fund raiser breakfasts or dinners...doing coin jars & giving them to loved ones who might want to help...selling things on eBay...garage sales...and lots of other ideas.

I hope these ideas spark some hope in you if your heart is set on private domestic or international.

Now...one more option if it's too expensive to adopt is to consider adopting from foster care.  Foster care adoptions are low- to no-cost.  There are many thousands of kids in foster care waiting for their forever families & there aren't enough families stepping up to the plate.

Answer 4

Foster care and if the children are in need of a permanent home you could apply to adopt and I don't think it would be much of an out of pocket expensive for you.....

Answer 5

collect money.. or get a loan.. It's worth you shouldn't even think about the money if it has to do with some lil kids life.. adopting is a great thing.. I plan to do it to when i get older.

Answer 6

There are places that actually do loans to help people who want to adopt. You can find out about them through the adoption agencies themselves.

Also, a less expensive option may be to go through an Adoption/ Pregnancy Crisis Center, if they do adoptions. They are usually sponsored by a church or are a non-profit. They can usually work out the financial situation better than a regular adoption agency.

And finally, yes, you can foster to adopt. Usually they pay you a stipend to help pay the child's expenses.  But you will lose many children  before you can adopt because the goal is to always reunite with the parents. If it doesn't work out, then you are the first to be considered for adoption since they are in your home. Plus you may lose them to people who are bad parents, and that is heart-breaking. BUT, there are usually older kids up for a straight adoption.

Answer 7

go thru your local county or state agency not a private agency it is low or no cost. Good luck!

Answer 8

You should totally foster, in some places they PAY you to foster!

Answer 9

We took out a home equity loan for half of the cost and found a place that gave no interest loans to adoptive couples.  

The total cost of our adoption was around $21000, and my husband only makes around $2200 a month.  I am a homemaker.

Good luck, I know it is a strain for the money, but it is worth it to have your little pumpkin!

Answer 10

Do creative fundraisers and put it in a special savings account just for your adoption process. there are even banks that will help finance. I don't recommend fostering, because i myself could not go thought the disappointment it brings when the courts give back the baby or kids that you have taken care of and gotten used to having around back to there parents. If you make it to the point where adoption of that child is within your sights and you start making plans only to have them taken away from you at the last minute would be devastating. go through a agency either international or domestic.

Answer 11

Conact state and/or county agencies. In most cases there is minimal or NO cost involved.

Good luck! ( p.s.  whatever you end up spending is WORTH it when you hold that precious child for the first time!)

Answer 12

Two words: FOSTER CARE!!! There is a family in our church, the mom is a SAHM and the dad is a children's pastor so obviously they don't have a ton of money. They were unable to conceive...both had problems... It was totally a God thing, though!!! They went through the FC system and adopted 3 beautiful siblings! They got them really young, too. The first was just a few months old when they got her, then they got the youngest--a boy--- also an infant... and finally the middle girl who was 1 or 2 at the time. Today they are such a beautiful and happy family! Do look into sibling adoption. They are more readily available and what a way to make a beautiful family!!! ;)

Answer 13

Just chiming in with another, try foster care adoption....

:)

Really, these kids do need homes more than an infant that is absolutely sure to get a placement, with waiting couples drooling over the opportunity.

Not to mention that in a lot of cases of infant adoption the mom is not necessarily unfit, just younger and has less resources and would parent succesfully if no one was wanting to adopt her child.

Adopt out of foster care!

Answer 14

CPS, foster to adopt is not expensive, try that

Answer 15

Not all adoption is expensive. If you adopt a child from foster care (and you don't have to foster first... you can choose to adopt a child whose parents already had their rights terminated), it's very low-cost or free. And if you adopt a special needs child, the state will sometimes give you extra money to help care for the special needs.

Domestic infant adoption and international adoption are expensive, yes.

Answer 16

Have you thought about being a foster parent?  If your heart is big enough to love a little one, that might be a good suggestion.  I know quite a few people who have adopted children that they foster.  Everybody wants babies, but it's these kids that need love most.  

http://www.adoptuskids.org/?gclid=CPqxh6...

Answer 17

We've adopted internationally twice, and were able to refinance our home and get money back to cover the fees. I know others who've taken out a home equity loan or line of credit too. Other suggestions are adoption fundraisers, or get a temporary second job like selling avon, working at a store before the holidays.

Also remember that there is a tax credit for over $10,000 that you be eligible for after the adoption is finalized.

Here's a site that should help

http://affording.adoption.com/

As others have mentioned, foster-adoption has little or no cost involved, and may be right for your family, but is not right for everyone. If you decide to go through an agency adoption it is expensive but there are definetly possible. Good luck.

Answer 18

As everyone else mentioned-foster care adoption is very inexpensive.

Also:

Fundraise-I am making handmade scarves and baby blankets to help save money.  It's a lot of work, but I feel like I am working for a good cause, my child.  There are tons of fundraisers you can do.  Just be creative and work hard.  (FYI, there is an adoption fundraising group in Yahoo.  Check it out and think about joining.)

Also check out http://www.affordingadoption.com/fundrai...

Tax Credit-Yes, this comes after the fact, but it still helps!

Interest free loans and grants-google it!  You will find many sources that you can apply for.  Every grant has different requirements, but it is worth spending a few hours online to see what is out there.  You can start at http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/... (Shaohannas hope website) for some ideas.

Answer 19

I am not trying to sound mean, but the financial commitment is a big part of the adoption process.  It takes sacrifice and effort to raise/save, but it makes it all the more rewarding on the other end.  Also, you are more likely to get an infant through an agency or an attorney if that is what you want.

Answer 20

adopt through social services.