Adopting a child can be a fulfilling experience, but it can also be an expensive one. There are expenses that are accrued by both the birth mother and the adoptive family. Who is responsible for the birth mother’s hospital bills in the state of Texas?
How Much Does A Domestic Adoption Cost in Texas?
No matter what type of adoption your looking into, it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced adoption attorney in San Antonio.
A domestic adoption means that the child that is being adopted is from the United States. These adoptions occur when the birth parents voluntarily place the child up for adoption. Most of these adoptions are handled through agencies.
The cost for adoptive parents in the state of Texas can be upwards of $50,000. The fees that are generally associated with a domestic adoption are:
- Fees for professional adoption agency services
- If not provided by the agency, the means for finding an acceptable birth mother
- Fees that cover the background checks (FBI, child abuse, neglect, state, and local)
- The fees for the home study to be completed by a professional
- Expenses for travel if it is not a local adoption
- Legal fees
- The expenses that the birth mother will occur as applicable by Texas law
- Rent
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Mobile phone
- Transportation
- Maternity clothing
- Educational support
- Emotional support
- Mental support
- Child and birth mother’s hospital bills
As an adoptive parent, it is important to protect yourself and your future child. Hire a San Antonio adoption attorney to help you through the process of your domestic adoption.
How Much Does an International Adoption Cost in Texas?
International adoptions are when a child outside of the United States is adopted by a family in the United States. If you plan on adopting internationally it is important to acquaint yourself with a reputable adoption agency and a lawyer skilled in this area.
International adoptions can run close to $60,000 depending on the country of origin of the child. Something to keep in mind with these kinds of adoptions is that not only do you have state laws and regulations, but you have the laws and regulations of the child’s country, and federal laws and regulations.
The fees that you will be looking at, on top of the birth mother’s hospital bills and other expenses, are:
- Fees from the adoption agency
- Legal fees
- Travel expenses for both you and the child
- The expenses that are federal and country-specific
- Expenses that have to be covered while you are in the child’s country of origin
- Passport, medical, and any other requirements for travel outside the United States for you and the requirements for when the child travels back
- All the background clearances
Resources to Help Pay for Adoption
When trying to find the monetary resources for adopting a child, it can become frustrating. There are so many expenses and sometimes you just don’t know where to find that large sum of money quickly. Luckily there are resources out there to help ease the cost burden of an adoption.
Loans
While the idea of using a loan to finance an adoption may not be one of your first choices, there are so many options that fall under the loan category that are worth looking into.
Unsecured (no collateral)– These loans are based on credit rating and generally have repayment terms that range from 5 to 7 years.
Secured (collateral)– These loans require something with equity to back them. This can be a car or real estate. Anything that holds value.
Loan from a Third Party- This is a loan that someone else takes out in their name on your behalf. This is a better option if you suffer from credit problems.
Using Existing Lenders- A viable option if you are a part of a bank or credit union and have been for a long period of time, they may be more willing to loan a large amount of money to you for this.
401K- Most 401K portfolios will allow for a loan disbursement. If you have enough built up in your 401K for this, generally you pay it back over time.
Employer Benefits
A lot of employers use third party benefits companies to offer benefits to their workers. These benefit companies often include resources for employees like adoption assistance programs. You would have to contact your human resources representative to find out what you are eligible for.
Military Assistance
If you are a member or are a veteran of the armed forces, the military offers help to military families who are trying to adopt.
Fundraising
If you have a wide social media network, or just enough family and friends who want to see you live out the dream of having a family, setting up a fundraiser for that purpose could help you raise the funds you need.
Don’t Forget to Protect Yourself
It is possible that once you are paired up with the adoption agency that feels right for you that you may try to reduce costs by avoiding legal counsel. This is a big mistake. Make sure that you take the necessary steps to protect you and your future child. Hire an experienced adoption law firm in San Antonio to help you through all the aspects of the adoption process.