If there are so many children that need families, why is adoption so expensive?

Question

I would think they would want the parents to keep that money to help raise the child :)

Answer 1

Because you have to have politics involved.  Plus that money goes to the children who have dead beat parents who suck off of welfare and have no business bearing children.  And those of you on here know who you are!  It is some kind of quest for some just to say they have children such as my parents did and then not give a d**n about them.

Answer 2

In my state (Oklahoma) if you adopt from the state then it is free! You use the states lawyers and everything is pretty well taken care of! ( My cousin just did this and they paid NOTHING!) Private adoption is what is expensive. The lawyers get the biggest amount of $ plus court costs! If you are interested in adopting go through your state agency. Good Luck

Answer 3

1.  Social Workers salaries ($30,000/Bachelor's degree, up tp $60,000/yr. Master's Degree.  Most work 55-60 hours a week, so don't get squirrely!  Secretaries, office staff and other caseworkers salaries - $20,000 per person ++.

2.  Office rent - $1000-3000/month

3.  Supplies/equipment/postage/utilities/lan... phones/cell phones, etc.  $1000-4000/month

4.  Support of birthmothers (medical care, hospital care, rent, groceries, utilities, clothing, transportation, child care, loss of wages - 0-10 months X  ? birthmothers/year. $30,000-100,000.

5.  All the same services and care (see above) of all the birthmothers who do not place but stay with the agency. (20-200 birthmothers/year)

6.  Counseling for both birthparents.

7.  Legal work - birthmother's voluntary relinquishment and termination; birthfather's voluntary relinquishment and termination, or more likely:  diligent search for birthfather, private investigation to locate or track birthfather, serve him, publish on him, and then terminate his rights.  $10,000-100,000/year

8.  Attorney for birthmother, attorney for birthfather, and an attonrey for the baby, and an attorney for the agency. (see above)

9.  Yellow page advertising (where most birthmothers go to find an agency.)  $30,000-300,000/year.

10.  Services provided to every birthmother who calls - (200-500/year) counseling, diapers, formula, emergency groceries, clothing, transportation, assitance with emergency housing, legal referrals, shelter admission, hospital trips, foster care arrangements, etc., etc.)  $2,000 - 10,000/year

11.  Recouping expenses for No Fee/Low Fee adoptions - for HIV+ babies, etc. - $10-80,000/year

12.  Recouping  expenses for birthmothers who get services 1-9 months but do not place. - $15,000-90,000/year

13.  Transportation expenses of staff - extensive travel $500-5,000/caseworker

14.  Legal fees for fighting cases in court - to keep a baby with adoptive parents; to keep an unfit birthparent from trying to gain custody; to block a grandparent from trying to get custody of a baby placed for adoption.  $10,000-$100,000/year

15.  Recovering costs of adoptive parents/birth parents who walk away from agency after services have been provided to them  - ??

16.  Medical expenses for baby - not covered by insurance/medicaid - $1000-10,000/year.

I could probably go on, but the point is made.  It is a business like any other -- Hospitals, National Cancer Association; Birthing Centers, etc.  And of course, depends on the size of the agency and the location.  Is it possible some agencies charge too much - yes.  Or too little - yes. But most adoptive parents realize where their fees go once they are really involved in the process.  It's unfortunate that these expenses have to be recouped by the adoptive parents, but then if not them -- who?  You?  It's also unfortunate that a heart surgeon charges so much for surgery, but they do.  Or that we pay so much to live in a home.  Or go to college.  But there are alternatives to private agencies, who must rely on the adoption fees for all of their espenses.  And those are public agencies -- those funded by or subsidized by the state or county. There, adoption is free or very low cost.   And, foster care is free.  And so is volunteer work with Big Sister/Big Brothers.  Or volunteering in a local pediatric hospital.  Or rocking babies in HIV wards.  So many glorious ways to fill our baby needs besides parenting or adoption.  (And yes, since I was 14, I have volunteered doing many of these activities those myself!)  It costs nothing to positively impact the life of a child!  Just a thought!

Answer 4

I don't really have an answer for you other than possibly they figure if a couple can afford it then they can finacially afford a baby  which is soooooooo expensive.

However, I'm with u on that, there are ways to check that without costing the parents to be an arm and a leg.

I would love to fight that one day, there are so many parents out there that could probably afford a baby or kid who may not nessisarily have tens of thousands of dollars in lump sums sitting there to spend.

There are sooooooooo many kids and babies that need adoption and it is sad, which is probalby the reason there are so many kids that still need homes but don't get it.

I also said why does adoption take soooooooooo long. they say most people want babies and it's because it takes so bloody long that the kids get older and no one wants them.

I hope this system changes.

But great question, just not sure there is a good enough answer to justify that.

Answer 5

well... i think that the goverment wants more money.also that to raise a child is priceless you could never put a price on love.

Answer 6

Don't know.

Answer 7

NO clue I was going to adopt my own niece and it was going to run us over $10,000 for the adoption. Her mom took her back after 6 years of living with me and now I would go back and give my left arm to get that money! Its insane. Adoption shouldnt cost that much. Its homestudies, lawyers, back ground checks everyone want to get their pockets filled!

Answer 8

Because when many people think of "adoption," what they are really talking about is baby brokerage.

If you go through social services and adopt kids who are really in need of a loving family, it's very inexpensive and many times free to adopt..

Answer 9

Now this is coming from someone who is adopted and has adopted.  There are so many answers for this.  Some women actually make having babies a money making business.  Other women actually are in a horrible financial situation and cannot afford some of the things a pregnant mother needs i.e. clothes, food.  Some of them need money because their jobs don't have maternity leave.  But, those are the true women who just need a little help and really want the best for their child.  Adoption is a very, very hard process.  Believe it or not the adoptive parents have to go through a lot.  We have to give 5 years of tax returns, 3 home inspections, have your finger prints done to make sure you don't have any record, you have to have life insurance , a health exam by a doctor, letters of recomendation, proof of employment and these are only a few things.  It took us 8 years to adopt.  We applied everwhere.  There is a law that states that a natural mother has 6 days from the date of birth to change her mind.  We have had that happen.  I have had a newborn taken from me.  Now, we didn't get any of the money that we gave the birth mother back.  It was like getting blood from a turnip.  The state of Louisiana (which is where I live) gives a pregnant women more money per month to live on than any other state.  So, needless to say down here it can really be a money making business.  But I do thank God that not all women are like that because we do have a wonderful son.  The natural mother was not in it for the money.  So, I know I got off on a rant, but I hope it answered some of your question.

Answer 10

If you are adopting a child that is in foster care then its not expensive at all, however if your doing it thru a person like a private one, then there is allot of legal fees and such in that.

Answer 11

everyone wants babies

Answer 12

Because a mother is signing over rights.  Which means you are using a lawyers time, a judges time (and they get paid good money to just sign papers).  It is a process and everything costs money.  I mean look at gas prices.  You pay for what you get.

Answer 13

I feel to Make sure, if they spend that much on a baby, they will treat it good,

Answer 14

The same could be said about Fertility treatments those can be very costly too.

It really just depends on what you want; white babies are very expensive. Private Adoption will also run you up. Cost my Aunt and her husband over 60grand for their son it was private and they wanted a white child. Not only did they have to pay legal fees, they paid for the mothers medical care(prenatal check ups etc), and even gave her money so that she would be eating well, had to pay for her hotel the last month of her pregnancy, her hospital stay etc. The even sadder thing is that had she changed her mind which at times that they thought she would they’d been up the creek with out a paddle, lost all that money and gotten no child, lucky she didn’t change her mind.    For people who are willing to take a child who is not white (or fully white i.e. multi racial) or older child. Children that are already in foster care.  Its not going to be as costly you will have to pay some fees for your attorney etc.

I know a couple they got a baby with in 8months of their adoption process. They accepted a bi-racial child, and even said they'd take a child up to 4 years old. Well where they shocked when they got a call “We have a baby for you? Do you want him?” They left that very day as he was in a different state and was only 2 days old.

embryo adoption  gives  the woman the experience of being pregnant, have the parents bond with child from day one.  The woman carrys  the baby in her body bonds with it, father is able to experience his wife being pregnant etc.

Answer 15

that's a very good question. maybe you should send a letter to a adoption agency and let them explain it to you.

Answer 16

Good question

Mostly because adoption is really baby buying (even though it's illegal). You pay the lawyers, judges, foster care system etc....  Some companies have adoption help but most don't. I know that the Wal-mart corporation doesn't. Everyone wants money instead of thinking about what's best for the child. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for about 7 months and their is nothing wrong to prevent us getting pregnant it just hasn't happened. We were going to adopt or have a surrogate mother but saw how much it costs. Many adoptive parents have to get loans or other fiscal aid. It's ridiculous.

Answer 17

The children most in need of homes are usually free to adopt, namely those in foster care or state custody.

Private infant adoption is a whole 'nother ball of wax. Most agency fees go to pay for advertising...it is a multi billion dollar industry and highly competitive.

Answer 18

Many employeers offer adotion assistance programs.

Answer 19

Because money is needed to make the world go around.

Answer 20

Domestic newborn adoption is expensive because of the legal fees, homestudy fees, counselor fees (our birthmom will have free counseling provided to her anytime she needs it for life - that's worth the money we paid), and living expenses/medical bills paid to or for the birthmother.

The government gives adoptive parents a tax credit in the amount of $10,960 for each adoption.  Our two adoption were relatively affordable and we will get almost all of our money back on our tax return for each adoption because of the credit.

Adoption from foster care is affordable, if not free in most instances.

Answer 21

Adoption is expensive because they want to know that the new parents are going to take care of the orphan.

Answer 22

I've asked the same question. You should see how much it is to hire a surrogate mother. My husband & I met 2 years after I had a partial hystorectomy so we can;t have a baby together. I have 2 from a previous marriage. He would love to have a baby. I still have my ovaries so we considered surrogacy til we saw how much it cost. Then we considered adoption & it was too expensive too. I find it sickening. People are desperate for a baby & the agencies & attorneys are cashing in on it. It should be illegal.

Answer 23

Private adoptions are expensive / international adoptions are expensive!  Go through your local Health and Human services and get a loving child in need of a home right in your own city for FREE!

Answer 24

because ther eare more families thjan kids

Answer 25

It is only expensive if you are looking for a specific child.  Like an infant under the age of 5 months, healthy, and so on.  If you open your home to a special needs child it is quite affordable and often free.  Special Needs Child- means any child over the age of 3.  It does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with them.  Most people want an infant so it is the whole supply and demand theory.  There are less babies to go around so you will have to pay to get one.

Answer 26

great question, we are in the process of adoption, the baby is due in September, we are going through any agency and are goint to be $30,000.00 in debt not counting what we need to get the nursery ready!!!!!

we live in michigan and its cheaper to adopt here, but the laws SUCK so we went to kansas.

ADAIR- I am sorry to hear that it took you so long!!!

different states= differnt consent time and $$$$$$ you have to shell out. thats the part that upsets me.

Answer 27

private adoption of a baby is expensive, foster adoption of older kids is very affordable. Everone wants babies!!!

Answer 28

To ensure that you will go the distance for the child.

Along with other things such as obvious fees and so on, it is necessary to find a family that will do what it takes to raise the child and not just to have another tax return credit.

Its supposed to ensure that the child stays in the family and doesn't get tossed back out into the system.

It takes a lot of money to have a baby biologically also. Hospital stays for the birth, prenatal care and sometimes loss of money while a woman is working less while pregnant and after baby is born.

I read an article that showed the financial aspect of it was not too much different than having a baby naturally. The difference is that health insurance helps out with having a baby biologically.

Answer 29

There aren't that many newborns that need families... there is actually a lot fewer newborns available then families wanting them.  There are a lot of older children, and to adopt older children domestically there are usually no costs involved.

Answer 30

Because, while the kids are not adopted, the orphanage has to pay for food, water, rec., and other things.

Answer 31

Due to government controls, there is an artificial demand which drives up the costs.