[WizardofOz]

Paige, you brought up a very good point, namely that birthmother expenses (which include "postpartum support" thses days) are supposed to be
1. voluntary
2. paid unconditionally (as per code)

Now, here is the problems that I have with that. As for the "voluntary" part, point #1 - well, the agencies/attorneys usually tells you how much you have to pay to the birthparents. The only thing that is voluntary here is whether you want to be presented to the potential birthparents or not. Once you say that you are interested in a situation, you will pay what they tell you.

In our first adoption we sponsored two perfectly healthy individuals for a duration of 4 months. Did we find it justified? Not really but the end result, namely placing their child with us, was indeed the child's best interest. BTW, our birthparents complained to me later, that they "almost did not get any money for the baby" which shows their understanding of what birthmother expenses are about.

However, we have to remember that birthparents come in all varieties, every situation is unique. There ARE birthparents out there who genuinely need assistance.

I do have an major problem with the postpartum support and here's why: The custom is that adoptive parents pay it only after placement, as per point #1. However, this contradicts point #2, namely that these expenses are paid unconditionally. So as adoptive parents, if we already agree to birthmother expenses, in principle we have to pay the postpartum support unconditionally. To be the devil's advocate, however, if that money too would be paid unconditionally, it would attract scammers even more.

In general, the practices prevalent in private domestic adoption in the United States are unheard of in any other country that I am aware of. As I said before, a tighter regulation on the whole topic is needed, I think that it's getting out of hand.