FAQs About Domestic Adoption

Common Topics of Concern for Prospective Adoptive Parents

How to Get Started

1. How do I know if an agency is the right fit for me?
This is a difficult choice because there are so many options to choose from! Find out as much as you can about the agency you are considering. Are their philosophies and goals the same as yours? Can you afford their fees? Are there large amounts of money due up-front that are non-refundable? Are agency staff available to answer your questions? Do they provide references of other adoptive families with whom you can talk? These are some of the questions you might ask.

2. How do I start working with your agency?
You can print, complete and mail to ABC Adoption our Application. Or request a packet of information to get you started. We will process your application and inform you of your acceptance into our program within 2-3 weeks of receiving your completed application. Once you are accepted into our program, you attend an individual Orientation Meeting during which we will explain the adoption process in detail, answer any and all questions you may have, and guide you through the next steps in your adoption.

Time Frames

1. How long will it take to adopt?
Once you are approved, it will take approximately 12 to 18 months.

2. How long is the home study process?
Some of the time frame depends of the adoptive couple turning in necessary documents, etc. It is possible to complete a home study within 2 months.

Cost

1. How much does it cost to adopt a healthy infant in your domestic program?
This can vary a little, so please consult the fees page for domestic adoptions.

2. If a placement does not occur after all fees have been paid, what happens to my money?
Approximately 80% of the fees due by adoptive parents are not due until 2 weeks prior to the due date of the child. If placement does not occur, all 80% of these fees are refunded to you within 1 week.

3. If I pay for living and/or medical expenses for a birth parent(s) and placement does not occur, what happens to my money?
You need to prepared to lose this money should a placement not occur.

4. What are considered living expenses by your agency and how much should adoptive parents expect to pay?
We consider living expenses to include: utilities, rent, food, and clothing. Our agency tries to help birth parents find resources in their community to meet their needs, however, sometimes this is not possible. In this case, adoptive parents will be contacted to help out. These expenses will not exceed $1000.

5. What are considered medical expenses by your agency and how much should adoptive parents expect to pay?
Any expense related to the pregnancy, labor, and delivery of the child. Most of the birthmother's we work with are eligible for Medicaid, which covers the cost all medical expenses, accept the child's individual care after birth. In this case, there is no medical expense to adoptive parents. If a birthmother has private insurance or has no coverage, these bills may vary, although an average birth costs anywhere from $5,000-$8,000. We will do our best as an agency to inform you of these as soon as we are aware of them.

6. Do birth parents pay any fees to the agency?
No. All services to birth parents are free of charge.

Laws and Attorneys

1. Does your agency have attorneys that adoptive parents must work with or can we choose our own attorney?
Our agency would be happy to refer you to work with the several attorneys we work with to complete adoptions. The attorneys we work with have agreed to provide set fees for our families, which are also often reduced fees. If you have an attorney of your own that you feel comfortable working with, we are happy to work with them as well.

2. Are attorney fees included in your overall agency fees? How much are they?
Adoptive parent attorney fees are not included in the overall agency fees, they are an extra expense. Birth parent attorney fees are included in the overall agency fees and will not be an additional expense for adoptive parents. Attorney fees vary depending on the state in which the adoption occurs, but the range is from $750-$1500.

Birth Parents

1. How do birth parents find your agency?
Most birth parents contact our agency by phone after finding our add in the yellow pages. We also have brochures available at doctors offices, family planning clinics, and high schools.

2. What is the average age of the birth parents that place a child through your agency?
This varies, of course, however, the majority of the birth parents who place a child through our agency are in their early to late twenties.