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Originally Posted By Christy

My husband and I are in the middle of our second adopton. Our daughter is 3. When we recieved INS clearance and our homestudy was complete, our agency phoned and said they lost their Korean connection and we would have to piggyback with another agency. We are devistated by the news and are trying to keep our chins up!!! But the added cost of the other agency is more than we can handle at this time. I cry so often that being a mom comes down to dollars. Does anyone know of grant organizations? Fund raising ideas? We have to pay a huge fee right now to the other agency to receive our refferal, and we are heartsick!
Thanks

[Archive]

Originally Posted By chazachmom

so far? I am no expert by any means, by I have adopted twice and I don't see how using 2 different agencies should increase the cost. Many people use 2 agencies for Korea, due to the fact that Korea limits the amount of agencies they deal with. Your home based agency should charge you for your homestudy (which averages $1200) and the agency you choose to use for the actual referral handles the rest. I realize the fee can vary slightly, but it is generally in the same ball park. So, if I am following you correctly the only money you should have paid so far is for normal INS filing and your Homestudy? No other money should be paid until you actually accept the referral, at least this is how it was handled with our agency and other friends we know who have adopted.

As for fund-raising ideas, I know many couples who ask their church for help... ie. pancake suppers, bake sales, picnics, etc. Also alot of us have borrowed against our 401K plans, this way you pay the money back to yourself and you don't lose that interest. I hope this helps.
Wendy

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Christy

Here's what is so strange to us. We already paid our homestudy fee (2400) and our post-placement fee (2300), now they are asking for ANOTHER, what they call piggyback fee, from the agency who has now taken us on.
Spence Chapin is the new agency. They are in New York, we are in CA, and so is our agency. it is our 2nd adoption from South Korea, the first one there were not these problems. Frankly, they can not even REALLY explain to me what the exact services are for, or why it seems we are paying them twice, they just said the other parents affected seem to understand it, so I must just be missing something. Our International fee is now 8488, and we are going back to South Korea, and that trip is already paid for by family. I just can't reconsile a fee that is so huge that doesn't make sense, you know? We already have INS clearance and a completed homestudy, and are caught up by this fee that was not expected or budgeted for. Any thoughts?

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Chazachmom

I can tell you that Spence Chapin is a very good agency. They also use Social Welfare Society in Korea, who our agency FCA uses. They also do combined homeland tours with our agency and I have heard nothing but good things. Maybe, it's California, but our Homestudy fee was $1200 and I have never heard of a post placement fee and I don't understand why you had to pay that now. Post does mean "after" doesn't it? Is this for counseling and other post-placement services? And if it is, since this is your second adoption can't this fee be waived? These are questions I would not hesitate to ask the agency. After all, there is nothing to prevent you from working directly with Spence Chapin or any other agency for that matter. I hope you get the answers you are looking for! I'll be watching for your posts and keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy referral.
Wendy

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Originally Posted By Kim

I paid for the post placement fees up front also. My total fees to my agency for everything was $14500 including the escort. I am in NY and know people who have used Spence Chapin. They have a very good reputation.

Kim

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Originally Posted By christy

Yes Kim, You are correct. I have paid for the post placement services up front. What annoys me is the extra fee, and the last minute approach to it. Like, send it now! Well, I have 3 kids and a new house and I watch every penny. Adoption is a blessing and I hate to see money as the issue. Especially when I didn't loose the relationship with Eastern, my agency did. I tried to deal Just with Spence Chapin, and take my agency out of it, but that would be even more expensive as I would loose the money I have already paid to my agency. Its all so distasteful, I can't wait for it to be over!!! We went to korea the first time, we will go back again, i'm glad to hear you all think Spance Chapin is a good agency. i still think MY agency should be paying the extra fees, since they were not agreed to when the contract was signed.What do you all think? Any lawyers in the mix? LOL

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Kim

I'm not a lawyer, but I would think your agency would pick up the extra fee as this was not your fault. I wonder if they are legally responsible? I remember you said the agency told you that other couples did not complain about the additional charges, but this may not be true.

Maybe you can have your attorney look at the contract you signed with the agency and see if they can do this. I know that you don't want to "rock the boat" but this sounds grossly unfair to me.

BTW both of my guys came from Eastern - beautiful babies!

Good luck,

Kim
Mom to David 8 and Michael 2 1/2