[mlbsands]

Hello,

obviously we are trying to adopt a little one.. When we first started out we started looking for "waiting kids" and got very discouraged - long story.. Then we went on to international adoption.. got discouraged after issue in that country.. Then we looked at domestice but trying to "keep the costs low"..

while we know it is possible to adopt an infant for less than $10,000, (independant nor birthmom fees just legals and travel) we are not ereally how sure this actually happens.. while we have been lucky to have been told obout several of these situations we have also been "competing" with numerous other families for these kids..

We are open to children of most races and bi and multi racial..

So.. in the mean time we have also "passed up" a few situations.. they were simply too much.. one was $37,000.. I still cried for days as the baby was just here and basically waiting for us.. we just could not justify it..

Then we had another situation that was right around $23,000 and again we passed.. just too much...

So.. seriously.. how many of you have been able to adopt a child.. under $20,000 (including legals, agency/fac fees, travel etc)..

also.. for those of you that had to travel with ICPC how much did you spend while there (hotel food airfare)

Also.. for those of you that had independant adoption or otherwise.. what is an "average" you should "plan" on for birthmom expenses???

All please help me to get a realistic idea of what we can look at paying...

Also.. for those of you that do not want to disclose fee's on here.. please feel free to PM me..

THANKS

Mandy

[seeking2adopt]

Hi Mandy,

We have completed two adoptions, each around $6000. It is possible! The second was attorney facilitated (long story) and so is almost a separate issue. But what I have found is that often smaller agencies will charge less, and though the wait may possibly be a little longer, it is worth it if cost is a factor. Also, being open to any race can really put you at the top of the list and (though I don't necessarily agree with this, but it's reality), minority adoptions are usually significantly less expensive. I will PM you with some specifics on agencies, since I don't think that's allowed publicly. Be encouraged, the right situation is out there for you!

Stephanie

[ScooterLV]

We are working with Catholic Charities in our state and the costs will be for sure under 20 grand. Most likely around 14,000 to 17,000. This will include all the attorney fees and even money toward Bparent expenses. Check with them in your state. Each CC has different requirements. In my state you don't even need to be catholic to use them. I know it is also cheaper if you adopt within your home state so you don't have to pay out of state fees to other agencies or attorneys. Plus you have to pay to have a baby come across state lines. I have also checked with a couple smaller agencies and found they are cheaper then the bigger ones. The two others I was looking at were around 20,000 which included I think most everything. If you don't mind me asking - didn't you have a potential bparent in Reno? That would be terribly sad if that fell through on you.
Good Luck

[Support2Adopt]

We adopted 4 times and none of our adoption costs hit $20,000.
JJ

[tobeafamily]

When we adopted Ryan, our total expenses (including agency, legals, travel - multiple trips, lodging, advertising, etc.) was $14,000. We spent 17 days after Ryan was born waiting for ICPC to clear.

We actually spent more in fees and expenses than any other family in our playgroup/support group. The rest were all well under $10,000.

HTH,

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[jewelewis]

We are adopting Independent. "D" is on medicaid so we dont have those bills and the whole thing should be under 5,000. Our attorney said she could probably do it around 3,000 if the pbfather did contest. He signed a couple of weeks ago. If you get the word out you are adopting you will probably know someone who knows someone who knows someone. As soon as I told people we met 2. We were going to go through an agency and do international then we met "D" and it has been perfect so far.

[blessed6]

Three of our four infant adoptions were well under $10k! We were recently contacted by a bmom asking us to adopt her baby. At first we declined and tried to help her find a waiting family. She contacted us again and begged us to take her baby. Although we initially felt like we were taking a baby from a waiting family, bmom is very determined in what she wants for her baby and we are thrilled to add another angel to our family. The total cost of the adoption will be $2500.

I agree with the above post-get the word out and be as proactive as possible! Situations are available! Blessings to you!

[DebCsMom]

We've adopted 3 times in 4 years. Our most expensive adoptions was $13,000 total. It was only that high because we had lenghthy legals. The other 2 adoptions totaled no more than $10,000. Including all legals, hotels, travel, food, etc. Our longest stay in a hotel was 2 weeks. You can get weekly rates. We stayed at a very nice hotel that gave us a suite. They had continental breakfast & gave us a microwave. We paid $150 a week! If you tell them you are adopting & have to stay in that state for whatever length of time, alot of hotels will give you a discount. Having a microwave saves on food costs. You can also network friends & family to see if anyone knows someone you can stay with is you need to go out of state.

Don't give up, adoptions CAN & ARE done under $10,000 all the time. Heaven Sent Refferal Service is one place that does these adoptions often.

GOOD LUCK!

Deb

[petee]

how are you doing this for $10k?

can you give us some specifics? state, dss, your kids?

thanks

[DebCsMom]

We are a caucasian couple & our children we adopted are biracial & full AA. It can be done for even as close to 5000! Do lots of research! Check out Heaven Sent Adopt, also.

Deb