Adoption is one of the many ways in which people may opt to expand their families. Some people adopt members of their family, such as stepchildren or grandchildren. Others adopt unrelated children while working with an agency. They may secure the placement of an infant or adopt a child from another country. Some families begin with foster placement and then adopt the children in their care.
Those who want to grow their families sometimes assume that adoption is not a realistic option in their case because of the expense involved and the level of scrutiny applied to aspiring adoptive parents. Certain myths, like the idea that people must own their own home, prevent some people from pursuing adoptions in Tennessee. Others let the potential costs deter them from bringing a new child into their families. There are numerous fees associated with adoption, and they can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
The costs can vary drastically from case to case
Every agency providing adoption support charges different fees. Some agencies charge $10,000 or more for placement and over $1,000 for home study services. Other organizations charge far less or waive some of those fees in certain circumstances.
Those the seeking to adopt someone who is already in their family can avoid certain costs and challenges. A stepparent adoption or similar legal process could sometimes cost less than $1,000. Other times, people may pay $30,000 or more to complete legal adoption proceedings.
Some costs are unavoidable. There are fees paid to the state, including application fees and court costs. Those expenses and the cost of legal representation are likely necessary to successfully adopt. Five-figure agency fees, on the other hand, are not strictly necessary for a successful adoption.
Aspiring adoptive parents often need to look carefully at the agencies that they work with and learn more about the state process so that they can streamline their adoption proceedings and minimize their costs. Learning more about adoption expenses and procedures may benefit those hoping to grow their families.