[Jamie Monster]

Hello everyone,

I am very new to this whole process... and would like some basic information. I have found a wonderful little girl in TX (she is one of the "waiting children") and now, I would like to look into adopting her. Has anyone here from Illinois completed an adoption from Texas? If so, could you please share your expreience of the process? I also would like to inquire as to the fees associated with this process, like how much it cost total. (if you could break down the total cost fee by fee, it would be great). My husband and I are far from wealthy... very paycheck to paycheck... but you don't need tons of money to raise a child well, so, I am just looking into if we would be able to do this. Any information that could be given would be a great help to me... and much appreciated!

Thanks a bunch, and I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help

jamie

[momofmykids]

Is this child in state custody in TX? If so, you *may* have to complete foster parent training in your state. Do you have a completed homestudy? That comes free with foster parent training. Is this child "special needs"? If so, the cost may be $0. Special needs can be anything from race to age to sib groups to psychological/emotional needs to developmental delays, etc. I have adopted 7 *special needs* (I have a sib group of 6 and my oldest was due to his age and psychological/emotional needs) and have never paid a penny for any of their adoptions!

Welcome to the adoption journey...you're in for a ride!

[TexasJingles]

Sounds like you found the child on TARE (waiting children). If so, the child is in state custody and is totally legally free (Texas does not put at-risk children on it's photolisting). There are some real cuties on there! Just make sure you read between the lines!

It is more than likely that you'll be reimbursed for "one-time expense" items (there's a special fund for things like this). That could include travel (you'll have to come to Texas for a visit at least once), lawyer fees, and a whole host of other things. But from what we were told, it is a reimbursment, not up-front.

Like momofmykids said, you will have to become licensed in your state, and let them know that you're looking out of state (some requirements may be different between some states). We were looking at Oregon, Idaho, and Ohio, so we had to look into a few of these things. I wish you well in your search!

[rindava]

and it is usually much faster if you can find a private agency to complete the homestudy and just pay them (usually around$2000-3000) or you can wait and wait and get one do through the public, which they may not let you use outside the state anyway.

Visits and post placement may or may not be paid by the sending state. i have heard in the past that Texas isn't so great at pay for pre-placement visits. Then you have to comply with both states guidlines about training and stuff.

it is easier to foster to adopt in state. But many people do look out of state as well. One of my kids is from out of state