[MissDixie]

You all have been so great answer questions! Here's another one!

We are trying to do our research on going with an agency, lawyer, our religious organization, etc...

We have spoken to 2 agencies so far and their payment method is very different.

Agency 1 (which I really didn't care for the agency and is more) has the application fee, then pay 1/2 when you are matched and the other 1/2 when you bring your child home.

Agency 2 (which I like the people) is a small down payment and then a monthly payment for 17 months or all due the day you bring baby home. It is an 18 month contract. I need to call b/c it doesn't say what happens if you get to the end of the 18 months and still are not parents.

I guess my question is...if you pay an agency at match, are you able to still use other resources, such as an attny if he has someone, or if I found a friend of a friend who is pg, etc...
and
if I go with agency 2, then I have a contract with them for 18 months and can't do anything if I do have another option. I would feel much better if agency 2 had the same payment plan as agency 1, it wouldn't be such a difficult decision...

Thanks for any insight! You all are the best!

[PersianMama]

Both of those sound scary to me. Our agency had us pay for the home study in two payments while it was going on. We owe a lump sum at placement, and then we pay attorney's fees at finalization. We are waiting, so we have only paid the home study fee at this point. Paying for the actual adoption before you actually have a baby in your arms freaks me out.

[oceanica]

There is no need for all of this advance payment!!
You should be able to find an agency with a program to pay as you go.

[Fran27]

Agency 1 doesn't sound that bad, a lot of agencies ask you for all the fees when you are matched.

I would definitely avoid agency 2... yikes.

[emtb79]

Like many others have said I would find one that is only asking for payment at time of placement, unless like me I chose to pay all of it up front so I wouldnt worry about the fees later. My fees will be returned if a placement is disrupted.

[mom2samuel]

Our experience with our agency reminds me of this. We paid a certain sum when we signed up, then x amount when matched, then the rest of it at placement. We did not end up adopting through them, and they still have our money. We had two failed adoptions with them, and foolishly did not ask for our match fee back. They said "Oh, just leave it, then it will be there when you match again". This is their way to "tie" you to them. We were with them over 2 1/2 years before we ended up completing an adoption through a referral agency/ other adoption agency. I would be VERY careful about all the fine print, and ask QUESTIONS,QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS!

Michelle

[redbonec]

I think just ask more questions to the agencies.

Our first agency we adopted through we paid some of what would be the total, then I think monthly payments going toward the total. I did ask about what happens if we did not adopt. They said you get most all back after so many months, then a little less after a year or so, but still get most of it back if you choose to leave the agency.

The agecny we are waiting with now we paid a appl. fee, then some other fees, then the homestudy, but most of the fees are not due until placement.

SO, we have had both ways.
Just ask to be sure.

But, I would not go with an agency you did not like, as you stated you did not like one. We did not follow up with a couple agencies when we were looking because if we didn't like how they were in an initial phone conversation, how would they be when we really had questions or problems?
You mentioned that one agency is more. I had it narrowed down to two this time, and ended up going with the one that is a bit more, but I am so happy with them and so glad we are with them.

[Asha0314]

Between the two, from prior experience, I would probably go with agency #1...

I had an application fee, home study fees and placement fees. The biggest chunk were fees after placement. I had to pay lawyer fees separately.

I would have alot of questions to the second agency about a breakdown of what exactly you are paying for during the contract period.

[islandfamily]

Our agency staggered the fees. There was an application fee, then you met with the people there and if you felt comfortable, you paid what they called a commitment fee. When you were matched, you paid the escrow fee which helped offset the birth mother's expenses. (FYI: our state has very strict laws about "baby-buying" so the agency can only reimburse the birth mom for expenses...there's no lump sum payment or anything like that.)

After the escrow amount is paid, you can choose to make payments or just pay the balance at placement, which is what we did. If you end up not getting a placement or leaving the agency, you are reimbursed all but the application fee, I think.

Every agency is different and it is a HUGE decision which one you choose. I would caution against selecting one based on lower cost and would absolutely ask them things like how long the average wait is. One agency we dealt with would never answer that question, only gave us vague "every situation is different" remarks. The agency we ended up with said they tried not to have any couple wait more than a year. We waited only a few weeks, but I know there are situations that can lengthen the wait somewhat.

Hope you end up with a wonderful agency and a great adoption experience!!!