[notadumbld]

My daughter is due any time. She had one set of adoptive parents change their mind and just Friday selected another couple who live in CA. Now there is another problem - MONEY!!!
Apparently the couple in CA already paid their agency over $17K upfront in fees. The agency in CT (and we're required to use an agency by CT law) also charges $17K for their end. The CT agency is NOT charging for the homestudy, background check or post-placement expenses. They are charging for my daughter's counseling pre and post adoption, foster care for the child until it's released to leave the state, clothing allowance, childbirth prep class, filing fees and attorney fees.

The couple can't afford a total of $34K to adopt this child. THe only way would be fore my daughter to find another agency what was willing to lower their fees or to keep the baby 4 weeks and fly it to CA to have the adoption done there. My daughter has an excellent relationship with her social worker and doesn't want to try to start a new relationship when she's due within 2 weeks. And keeping the baby for several weeks and then flying to CA would be heart-rending for her.

My question for you couples who live in California - is it normal to pay an agency all fees at the beginining? How can you afford to pay 2 agencies? Or do you just hope to find a child in CA or one in a state not requiring an agency?

This is a terrible situation for my daughter. She really likes what she read about this couple, they're of our faith, and she really wanted to have them adopt her child. She told them, through the agencies, that she will wait until Monday before contacting another couple, hoping somehow, through a miracle, this couple can either come up with the money or the agencies work together to help this adoption happen.

PLEASE DON"T EMAIL ME ABOUT ADOPTING THIS BABY. As great as you all are, there is another family my daughter likes, just not of our faith, and if nothing happens by Monday, this is who she'll have the agency contact.

[Support2Adopt]

What a sad situation for your daughter to be in. To answer your question, all agencies are different. Some charge the whole fee up front and others charge for their services as you go. I hope that somehow, this all works out for your family. JJ