[GwendolynP]

Hello ALL...
I'm new to the board, just found it actually..

My husband and I are looking to adopt as we cannot naturally have our own...

We are an interracial couple and wish to adopt Bi-Racial infants if possible...

We are 40 and 43 respectively...

We would be greatful for ANY and ALL info you guys can provide..

You know like, where should I start...
what are the basic for adoption,
where is a good website for this?
Should we have a lawyer?
What is the expense?

We are in South Carolina if that helps any...

I'll be checking in every few minutes all day...well, after 3pm anyway...

Thank you guyz in advance for your input...

Gwen


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[tobeafamily]

Gwen,

Domestically, the two most common ways of adopting are domestic parental placement (aka private or designated adoption) and waiting child (aka foster care). Each has its' own benefits & risks.

Most domestic parental placement situations run total fees and costs under $10K, though there are some that are higher - you'll see the really high ones posted on websites. Most involve some level of post-placement contact or openness - everything from pictures/letters through a 3rd party to visits to 'integrated' open adoption where all consider each other family. These are almost all adoption plans made before birth, the child is placed at birth.
The two biggest risks are financial and that pbparents may choose to parent after the child's birth.

Waiting child adoption generally involves little to nothing in fees and costs. Newborns are very rare - more infants and toddlers. Some are 'at risk' - where birth parents' rights have not yet been terminated, others are not. There may be abuse/neglect - you would know the situation at time of placement. Other than this the biggest risk is in bureacuracy -many parents 'fall in love' with a photolisting only to be frustrated by their inability to get the system to work for them.

A good place to start is your library - get out anything and everything you can on adoption and educate yourself.

HTH,

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[annie83]

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[Jenniwest]

Hi, Annie,

I looked into LINK some as well....would you mind me asking what your costs ended up being? Thanks. So wonderful to hear your story! Congratulations!

[annie83]

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[GwendolynP]

Annie..
Could you PLEASE PM me with whatever it was that got edited out...