First of all adopting an older child is a very unique situation and everything depends on the child and the family adopting.... Our daughter was five when placed and is now 7. The one thing I can say for sure is that we have had tons of support with the state and been provided so many services that I can hardly imagine life without this assistance.
We have not adopted internationally so I cannot be sure if everything I say is 100% true but I will point out a few ways going through the state has made our life just a little easier.....
First of All: There are no (or very little) costs to adopt through the state....It can take a little longer but there are no huge bills--and no traveling to another place...So financially there is a great Plus--and not traveling is a personal thing--I don't like to travel--you might
Second: Most states will classify a child over the age of five (usually 3) as "Special Needs" and this means that EVEN AFTER the adoption is final you--the parents--will be entitled to an Adoption Subsidy to insure that any help your child needs (or your family) is covered at least enough to where you get the services needed instead of living with a difficult situation. Also "Special Needs" adoption are entitled to the FULL IRS adoption tax credit of over $10.000 automatically reguardless of any cost to you.
Third: Most children who have ever been in Foster Care will continue to recieve the medical coverage as secondairy covereage after the adoption. Which means that adding the child to your policy and having the provided covereage generally means families have very low out of pocket costs for medical care until the child is 18.
Fourth: If you are faced with difficult situations there are most often support groups, and services to help you as the parents. Once a family has been trained in the States foster Parent program they can attend other classes during the future usually at very low or no cost. Some of us who never thought we would need this have found it to be very helpful.
Fifth: If the WORST things on earth happened and for some HORRIBLE reason your family found themselves in a situation where--a child is just not going to fit--or there is danger --as HARD as it is the State will help (even if it does not feel this way) and services will be provided and everyone will try to make a good decision for the child...
While it does not happen often there are 'stories' of families who have adopted children from other countries--and not been able to parent these children...and these children end up in the US Foster Care (yes, some would argue this is better then what the child had in thier own country--but, really no one wants to see this happen as it has a possible negative effect on international adoption.)
As I sit here and think over the past two years while I wait for my daughter to get home from the Day Treatment program which only accepts state medical insurance and which we only have because we adopted her from Foster Care I am glad we went this route....
Add to this the fact that there would be cultral and possibly language differences.
I think each of us need to decide what path works well in our own life.... I don't think there is one right way--I will say that my input here is slanted as I do encourage people considering older children to consider those children living down the street....