[ another agency update ]

8.18.2010

Thank you for all of your continued support, kind words, thoughts and prayers both online and off. I am continuously amazed at how a blogging community can come together and reach out and help one another.

From my post on Monday, I got some inquiries from a few of you asking about the agency and the fees. Some of out curiosity, some for research and thinking about adoption.

I have no problem sharing any of it with you all. I feel like if i can help just one person through my ramblings, then I've done a good job. =)

I have decided to break down our costs so far. Not for anything other than to be helpful and put out there for someone who might be too shy to ask. (i swear, i don't bite). But please, continue to leave comments or send your emails if you have other questions.

I think the hardest part of the financial part of adoption is the amount of "whats". Every case is so different, so attorney fees and the money paid to help the birth mother is so different. We were given averages to work with, but in our minds, we are figuring on more. It seriously is the story of our life!

So here goes:



A couple of notes for you on the above financials. The $7,000.00 is to keep in escrow with the agency. If we don't use it all for our birthmother, we will get it back. The trick is? We could end up needing more for her. Depends on the case. Also, with the attorney fees, if it is a very complicated case, we will pay more obviously.


Edit: I had a typo and a reader so nicely reminded me that the tax credit is $13,170.00. Thanks!
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The federal government just extended the adoption tax credit through 2010. If all goes well, the credit is now for $13,170.00.

So in a nutshell, that is it! Please let me know if you have other questions, like i said, i'm happy to answer!

5 comments:

Stephanie R said...

Maybe a birth mom in a state with stringent living expenses laws will pick you guys. ;) In our state, there is a max of $3K that we could spend for her expenses.

Are those the average agency fees & marketing costs for the agencies in your area? Just curious.

Wishing you well!

sheba said...

wow, i never realized how much adoption was. i'm wishing you don't have to pay advertising fees for much longer.

Anonymous said...

The credit is now $13170 per the hcr bill. :)
http://local.wnep.com/talkback/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7711&p=93392

Rebecca said...

@Steph - That is what we are hoping actually. However, living in NYS, it is the worst. If our BM is from here, we are responsible for 2 months prior to birth and one month after, including any pysc. help. The agency fees are for all over the country. All the outreach and networking they do.

@bklyn - thanks so much! I hope not either.

@anon - thank you for catching that!

Laura said...

Thank you for posting this! I had ABSOLUTELY no idea how much adoption would cost. This kind of blows my mind. Sometimes when I hear of a woman having trouble concieving, my mind jumps to adoption. Like, if a child is the goal, just do what you have to do to get that baby. I hope that doesn't sound bad....I just feel in my heart that adoption is sometimes God's plan for a family. But goodness....I can see where adoption would be cost prohibitive to many families! Thank you again!!

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