[Zacsmom]

My husband and I are wanting to adopt an older child around 8 or older. We are a military family (3 years left) so we are by no means well- to- do. We are financially stable, but don't have a huge amount in savings. We just bought a house & are able to pay our bills just fine. Will we be frowned upon if we try to adopt now, or should we wait until we build up our account?

[LotAkids]

You are a perfect candidate to adopt!! You don't have to be rich at all, or own a house.
We have adopted 4 kids out of the foster care system since March of this last year. There are so many of them. We had our homestudies done and finished all the classes and the kids just kept coming!
Total we have spent around $3000 and that is for all the kids combined.
We hired an agency, but if you go through the county system, you won't have to pay anything.
Kids from foster care come with medical care and a small subsidy to help defer costs.
If you and your husband are ready now, then go for it! You will make a child very happy.
Liz

[MomofKaden]

If you were thinking to adopt internationally or something I might say to start saving some money, but it sounds like you are planning to go through the foster care system, so I say GO FOR IT! Everything I have ever heard indicates that the foster care system makes it free to very low cost to adopt - not at all like domestic agency or international adoptions which CAN be costly. I see no reason to not move forward - have you looked into it yet? If so, surely you have already heard that the costs are virtually non-existent - check it out and good luck!!!!!

[huggle002]

Definately go for it!!! Dh and I are in the fost-adopt program in NJ. In June 2003 we were placed with a 12 month old baby girl and her newborn brother. The children recieve a subsidy, and they have medical insurance. We are going through the adoption process now and all costs for the adoption will be covered by dyfs (including our attorney). Due to the fact that our 2 are considered "hard to place" (they are a sibling group and biracial), they will continue to recieve their benefits until they are 18. As long as you make enough money to pay your bills (or have enough money), it is perfectly fine. The subsidy allows us to totally spoil the kids And believe me, we love every minute of it. I am also putting some of it away for them to help with college...If we didnt recieve the subsidy, we could still support them comfortably, but it makes it so much easier....At xmas, our house looked like a toy store exploded in our livingroom....it was the babies first xmas, and our fd's first xmas with us....and we loved every minute of it. I am not positive, but I believe an 8 year old or older would also qualilfy as a "hard to place" child out here in NJ..I am not sure about other states. As long as you can pay your bills, and meet their guidelines (pass the homestudy, etc) you should do just fine.

[Support2Adopt]

I would go for it now. You don't have to have a big savings account to adopt. You just need a safe and loving home, (plus the patience to make it through the adoption process!) LOL
JJ

[mj77]

We adopted our little guy through the state foster system and were only out 2 co-pays for a doctors exam. Our state reimbursed that plus any milage to transition our son. Also children who are adopted through the state system are usually classified "special needs" and may qualify for a monthly adoption subsidy check until they are 18 and medical coverage. Good luck

[Zacsmom]

Thank you ALL so much! I wasn't expecting such a response! I really needed that encouragement to get the process started. I have been lurking around these boards and other websites to gain as much information as I can. My husband & I are nervous about the whole thing, but I guess the best thing to do is just jump in with both feet!
My son has been wanting a brother for a few years now & I hope I can make his dream (and ours) come true. Thanks again!