When do you pay during adoption process?

Question

I understand that you usually put down money for a deposit right after the homestudy? When in the process do you pay the remainder of the fee? After you you've been matched with a baby or before? Thanks!

Answer 1

I always thought you didnt pay the remainder of the fee until everything was finalized. If all else fails I would check www.lawyeradvice.com and you can type antyhing in there and it will either it or put you in the right direction

Answer 2

Our agency was fee for service, so we paid as services were provided. First for our home study, then for our adoption education classes, outreach etc (this was all early on, before matching).

Once we matched with my daughter's mom (just 2 weeks before the birth) we send $ to an out of state agency who would work on things from that side (more paperwork with two states involved). Shortly after birth we paid for the paperwork for our state as well as terminating  the father's rights (via a lawyer) and then a few weeks later  we paid for the post placement assessment. We also sent our daughter's mother a little $ right before the birth for some of her expenses.

I'm not sure of your agencies fee structure,  but I would think you wouldn't finish paying until after the birth since a match can definitely fall through. Some of the fees would only apply if the child were placed with you.

Answer 3

I have had to pay an application fee, homestudy fee, agency fee, and now the remainder of the agency fee before the adoption is finalized. There have been other fees in the meantime, some I paid them and some I had to pay. I had to get copies of my birth certificate, get things notarized, a physical, criminal back ground check, etc.

I am guessing you pay the balance to the agency before being match so they have their money for their work in case anything goes wrong.

Are you just starting the process? I am sure it varies with each agency and whether you are adopting locally or internationally.

Good luck!

Answer 4

That's going to depend completely on your agency. For us: we did not have an application fee, because of the program we are in, but that is usually the first fee. Then, the homestudy fee (including the fees for post-placement visits) was due when we had completed all of our paperwork, along with 30% of the agency fee. The remaining 70% will be due upon placement.

Fees will usually be spread out over the process, and should correspond to the part of the process where you are. Before you agree or pay any fees, you should ask for a detailed breakdown of exactly when fees are due, and what those fees are for. If they will not give you that information, choose a different agency. Also, be wary of agencies who ask for a large portion of the fees at the beginning of the process.