You know what?....just today, I've phoned and spoken to at least three agencies. We've adopted several times (five babies), and I honestly think fees have gone a sharp INCREASE just over the last three months---AGAIN!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR......
I completely agree that there seems to be a vast range of fees, and it seems that everyone---lately---has their hand out more than usual!
Around 20k seems high. I think that's not unusual....but I find it high. Our most expensive adoption was a bit over 10k (not including homestudy) and this was conducted in '06. BUT......I AM finding we'll have to search more and more for situations that aren't higher than that now...and frankly, I think that stinks; but it's true.
Are you open to any special needs too? (As we are and have been.) It used to be that special needs babies had lower fees, simply because the agencies/attorneys knew the families were taking a greater risk in having to pay added expenses for 'unknowns'. Seems anymore, that 'special needs' are considered 'healthy' now. (Don't even go beyond that reasoning...)
And, while that's what most agencies think/do......I still believe in my heart, that sometimes, it's being in the right place at the right time. (This has happened more than once with us and we have our babies to prove it.)
My best advice for fees and all, would be to continue searching for agencies that DO NOT make you pay a large amount of money for matches or any other fees. (No more than a few hundred at most....WHO can afford to lose that money anyway????)
And....make sure you call ALL around...tell the caseworker what you want.....ASK them if they'll take payments....ASK them if they ever have ANY exceptions, etc.
That may seem rude to some; but I've known times when agencies were literally scrambling to find couples to match. If you even just ask them to place you on their resource list, that MAY be enough. You never know.
I hope this helps. My best to you....
Sincerely,
Linny