[cool beans]

Hi I need some help here. This is my story ,I am adopting a baby in jackson county in the K.C. area the baby will be born in january it is a private open adoption . I have a home study starting threw American Adoption and they will work with me on a payment plan . I said yes to this adoption as it means the world to me and my husband . we never had a child that was the two of us . I had a historectomy when I was 23 , any way when I said yes I had no Idea of how much it would cost . I have been researching the grants and other things and have not been able to find any help with the cost prior to the home study being done and the home study its self is a thousand dollars the Attorney is a thousand dollars to start . and the birth parents attorney will be five hundred dollars to start . I have gone to all the dr. apointments and the ultrasound and every thing but trying to find help with the upfront cost is really eating at me . does any one out there have any suggestions . thanks Robin

[Dublin]

Did not not reasearch this at all? It is always important to do that, especially in this case.

I would suggest you check into a line of credit or a home equity loan if you really want this.

[tlc4kidz]

We are fosterparents in Jackson County. We had a couple in our class who were going through a private adoption and also considering fostering only. They were able to use the home study that the state did for their private adoption, but I would think that might vary from agency to agency....it's also a several month process AFTER you finally get started, so it would have to work out that there was a class and they could get you right in, etc. I wouldn't keep my fingers crossed for that, and I probably wouldn't look into it unless fostering or adopting through the state is something you are interested in also.

I would definately sit down with your attorney and look at options. Make sure you feel you are in a place financially that you are ready to take on parenting.....it's not cheap!

[cool beans]

this came up all the sudden and when I said yes i had not done any research it just fell in my lap it is a god send and I am so wanting the baby it will be here in January and I have set up the home study . I just wanted to know if any one here new of any charities that helped with the cost of adoption I do not own a home right now am in the process of getting one. but am renting at this time sold my home where we lived years ago and haven't bought anything since my husband and I went threw some hard times . we are stable with his employement and every thing now but before we sold our house there were huge layoffs where he worked before .

[Dublin]

No parenting is not cheap. BUT, if everyone waited until we were "financially set" to become parents there would be far less of us. I don't think you can ever be truly financially set to become parents. But when looking into adoption you have to realize that it is going to be financially taxing, but then again, children are priceless. I am not saying ot put yourself into serious debt, but remember where there is a will, there is a way.

[cool beans]

I want this baby so much and so does my husband and we are not giving up . we will find a way and thank you so much for the help . I said to day if I have to go to every church in this county and ask for help I will . in the mean time I pray.

[Dublin]

Cool Beans,

One thing I wouls suggest is that you do make sure that you can afford this adoption at this particular time before you go any further with this birthmom. It would not be fair to any of you to get so far into this and then you have to back out because you do not have the $.

[cool beans]

thanks I am going to do this adoption if I have to stand out on the street corner and asked for donations . Thanks

[Dublin]

Cool Beans,

Why did you decide to go thru American Adoptions??

I am only asking because I know of an individual social worker who is really good. We went thru her for our domestic open adoption. Do you have your lawyer set up yet? Who are you going thru?

[cool beans]

Lisa key is my attorney in K.C. and in the St. Joseph yellow pages was american adoptions and I had called several other places but know one kew any one. I live In St. Joseph Mo. any way I am not commited to them they are sending me the packet to fill out and send back withe first payment

[Dublin]

I have never heard of Lisa Key, but that does not mean anything. Just make sure she has had experience with adoption law. We went thru Adoption and Counseling Services for Families, the social workers name is Nancy Bean.

[cool beans]

I know that parenting is not cheep as I have two grown children from another merrage and one step son grown. I was neve able to give my secound husband a child because I had a historectomy and always wanted to adopt but felt the time was not right but this just fel in to my lap and I feel that I am ready . Yes raising children in any situation is costly but giving your love support and a stable enviorment is the most important thing for a child.

[cool beans]

where is Nancy Bean located. and Lisa Adopted her own child and has a wonderful history of adoption law she came very highly recomended by the other attorneies I spoke with.

[Dublin]

Nancy is in Overland Park.

[tlc4kidz]

I really wanted to clarify and apologize if what I said was taken wrong. I didn't mean that you have to live in a mansion and drive a BMW to have kids AT ALL....if that were the case I wouldn't have any. Goodness knows most people live on a paycheck to paycheck basis anymore. I just meant that if it were going to be SO taxing financially that basic needs couldn't be met then you might want to reconsider. It doesn't sound like that's the case.

I also believe that this MUST have been God's plan....babies don't just enter people's lives like that for no reason!! I will keep you in my prayers and hope that you have faith that just like the situation came to you the money will also.

Congrats!!!