Why is adoption so expensive, and how much does it usually cost anyways?

Question

I've heard that adopting can be pretty difficult, but I'm a bit curious as to how the whole thing works. Like what's it usually cost and why does it cost so much? Not to be rude or anything but shouldn't the countries be glad their children are wanted by someone? Oh and one more question, how long does the adoption process usually take?

Answer 1

i dont know why it is so expensive but in my opinion it should be free. i mean doesnt the government help fund foster homes and such. so maybe there money could be better spent looking for good homes. babies should be able to be adopted out for free. there are many loving homes who would love a child.but to answer your question, i would say contact a lawyer , most consultations are free for 30 minutes or something. they could prob give you a good idea of the cost.

Answer 2

http://costs.adoption.com/articles/the-c...

This gives you some ideas and it varies widely by what country, what age of the child, where it is located, etc, etc, etc.

My sister and brother in laws went to Russia to adopt there Daughter who was 2 at the time and it cost them $12,000 just for the adoption and they also brought things for the orphanage to sweeten the deal. That was not counting in all the costs of the trip there twice. Once to meet and once to pick up a few weeks later.  

Answer 3

Adoption does not have to be expensive.  If you adopt from the Foster Care system, it is virtually free.  If the parents rights are terminated, you could probably adopt within 1-1.5 years, after you go through training, get background checkes, do home-study, etc.

If a parent's rights are not terminated, you might wait awhile.  Those children are more difficult to determine because if their parent's are working the case-plan, the children might go back home.  So, this would be a foster situation with the intention to adopt if parent's rights are terminated.

But most of the time, the children in foster care are not babies or toddlers.  

And since everyone wants babies, they ignore the foster system and adopt elsewhere.

Answer 4

Because it's no longer a social service for the children.

It's a multi-billion dollar business where children are the commodity.  Buy into it and you become a part of the unethical practices.

Adopt via social services for a clearer conscience (my parents did - they didn't want to feel as though they were 'buying' me - I was 3 months old).

ETA:  Did someone actually use the phrase "sweeten the deal" in their answer (shakes head).  I rest my case.