Agency or lawyer cost?

In my state you have to use an agency.

May I ask which state that is?

North Dakota. I'm pretty sure WI is the same and MN might be too. So even though we had an identified/designated adoption the aparents still had to pay agency fees. I think they ended up spending about $10,000, maybe a little more, for agency fees, legal fees, home study, and hospital costs. They did not pay any bmother expenses except the portion of the medical bills not covered by my insurance and about half of my legal fees.

Just my opinion but I liked using an gency because they provide support not only to you but also the birthmom/family. Also they are good support after you adoption is finalized. Not sure what the price difference would be but weigh they things you want out of the adoption- like support and experience with adoptions, etc. Good luck!!!

We were supposed to use just the attorney for ours, but an agency stepped in the night our daughter was born. I thought it may have been a good thing at first because our daughter's bmom seemed to really like the social worker, but I have NEVER been able to get anyone on the phone since we brought our daughter home when I had questions or needed support. I do not recommend this particular agency, feel free to PM if you would like. I do love our attorney. And there are other agencies we plan to sign up with in the fall for adoption #2. But we will continue to search for a bmom on our own until then as well. :) I think it's a personal decision, some people prefer one over the other.

I PM'd you for this info, thanks!

Agencies cost more than lawyers but if the lawyer also finds a potential birthmother for you, then the costs are similar. However: Agencies tend to have "restrictions" on your age, religion, marital status etc. Those restrictions are based on highly personal opinions of the agency director or on how they view your "marketability". For example, many agencies either rejected me or labeled me as "fallback option parent" only because I am Jewish. This is not an acceptable practice to me. In my opinion, "restrictions" are not only legalized discrimination but also prevent potential birthmothers from freely choosing adoptive parents. Personally, I would only work with an agency that will accept adoptive parents who are home study approved without further "restrictions".

Hi, We have gone with ANLC ,for our 1st. Have been waiting for 2 months. Can you give me some info on the agencies, attorney you used and would like to use in the future. It will help me as a back up . Thanks