Hi Psycho2!
I hate to be a downer but to answer your question, no, it is most
likely not possible to adopt a healthy caucasian newborn in the USA
for under $2,000. My husband and I are in the process of this very
kind of adoption and I have done extensive research regarding adoption
pricing. Our 2 teenagers were adopted as older children several years
ago so I am very familiar with adoption and the entire process.
Adoption prices have significantly decreased in the past few years,
and with the assistance of the $10,000 tax credit it has become much
more affordable for those with lesser incomes, but it is still costly
as you are well aware. An average adoption from start to finish is
usually around $15,000.
The first step in the adoption process is the Home Study, which is
required in all states. This will deterimine whether or not a family
is a good candidate for adoption (financially, emotionally,
physically, etc.). You do not have to be rich or live in a large home
to qualify to adopt. I won't go into the details of the Home Study
because you are probably aware of them already. The cost of a Home
Study can range from around $1000 up to $3500 or more for a private
Home Study agency. If you use the Department of Human/Social Services
it can be much less and is sometimes free, especially if adopting from
Social Services.
If you use an adoption agency you are going to pay approximately
$8,000 for a basic "inexpensive" adoption. This is just the agency
fee. Then there are birthmother expenses which you may or may not
incur, depending on her needs. Agency fees can go way up from here but
$8000 is the low end from my research. The fees can reach $40,000,
which is probably the high end (VERY high end!).
Other adoption fees would be travel expenses to pick up the baby (if
born in another state) and attorney fees to legalize the adoption
(usually around $1500-$2500).
I would suggest that the least expensive route be to network like
crazy and hope to find a birthmother on your own without the
involvement of an agency. This is the least expensive way to go, but
be warned that this is also the most risky. With most agencies, if
the birthmother/father changes their mind you will be put back on the
waiting parent priority list at no additional cost. The same goes if
the baby is born with birth defects that may have not been anticipated
prior to birth. Agencies also have the know-how of facilitating an
adoption, which is perhaps the most imporant reason to use one.
You can also contact an adoption attorney and possibly locate a
birthmother this way. Fees will greatly vary going this route because
birthmother expenses will vary. Make sure the birthmother is signed
up for health insurance, either privately or through the state. This
will help decrease expenses for you both and will also help assure
that the baby receives good prenatal care.
There are many adoption links on the internet that you can peruse.
The ones I have found most helpful are:
http://www.adopting.com (Many links to agencies and other resources)
http://www.adopting.org/ (More links and resources)
http://www.adoption.com/ (Many resources including discussion boards)
http://www.adoption.org/ (a very cute web site with lots of info)
Adoption is a large expense but I honestly believe that where there's
a will, there's a way. When we first adopted we asked everyone we
knew for donations of items to sell at our garage sale. It was a lot
of work, but we raised around $5,000 doing this! I have found that
when one wants something badly enough they find a way to make it
happen, and what cause could be better than to provide a child with a
forever family? People WILL help! Ask around, find sponsors (churches
are really great for this!), ask for help from friends and relatives.
Most times all the expenses are not required up front so you have time
to dole out the money a little at a time. For example, start with the
Home Study and the fee for that. It will take a while to get
everything accomplished for that, and by the time it's complete you
will have the time to have saved up for the next set of expenses
(usually the agency fee).
I wish you blessings and lots of luck in your adoption quest! I
sincerely hope that you find your baby to make your family complete.
Don't be disheartened; take things one step at a time.
Please ask for clarification if you need it.
CSIgirl |
