Every day, people make the loving and selfless choice to adopt a child. Whether they are starting a family or adding to one that already exists, it is a beautiful miracle that can bring joy to everyone involved. So many children are in need of a forever home that this choice seems obvious to many, though it isn’t always an easy path.
There are many methods for adoption, and they all come with their own set of costs. It can be an expensive endeavor, costing tens of thousands of dollars, but if you ask most families with adopted members, they will tell you it was worth the effort and cost. If you are thinking of adopting a child, here is an overview of the different types and associated costs, as well as strategies to pay for them.
Types of adoption
One of the most familiar types of adoption is domestic, where the child already lives in the U.S. The expense of using a private agency can be high, up to $45,000. You may end up paying for a home study, where an agency rep evaluates you and your home, expenses for the birth mother, or even the costs of travel for you or the birth mother. If you don’t use an agency and find the mother on your own, this could lower your costs.
International adoption, where you work with an agency overseas, can cost a great deal, too. You may pay more in travel, especially if you visit your prospective child more than once. The high costs result in many people deciding to adopt through the foster care system, which is sometimes close to free, because the state reimburses many of the costs. The risk is that the child may go back to his or her birth family before adoption, as that is the ultimate aim of this program.
Paying for adoption
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to afford adoption. Some employers offer adoption-assistance, though not many of them. There are grants that may help parents who fit a specific demographic and even tax credits that can help lower costs by reducing a family’s tax burden. You may even borrow the money, either from family members or through a home equity loan.
While adoption is a wonderful way to make a family, it requires diligence and needs to be within legal parameters. If you are thinking of adopting, be sure that you educate yourself and even consider utilizing the assistance of an expert. That way, you can put your focus on finding the child who will complete your family.