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Adoption itself isn't that expensive. It's all the middlemen that cost, such as facilitators, agencies, and lawyers. To keep costs down, you can adopt domestically from within your state and do an independent adoption. If you feel like you need a lawyer, shop around. There are good ones that don't charge a lot, and then there's all the rest.
If you can find birthparents in your state and who are cooperative, you can conceivably adopt for less than a few thousand dollars, depending on your state. There are books out on how to adopt without a lawyer. A home study will cost between $1,000 and $3,000 and is required.
Keep in mind that get up to $10,000 back with the credit, and while the average adoption costs $12 - $15,000, you can do it for under the $10,000 - costing you nothing in the long run. ---I know a lot of people spend a lot more than $15,000.
Adoption costs are primarily for the home study and fees to be listed with an agency. A lawyer isn't cheap either, but you can find one that will let you do some of the paperwork yourself. You don't need pay a lawyer $400 to file a form that you can print out, fill in, and file yourself at the courthouse for $19.
Finally, find an adoption support group in your area. It's the best thing we ever did. You can learn a lot from others in your situation - most importantly which agencies/lawyers/facilitators NOT to use.
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