Cost of Adoption

I'm not familiar with how NJ does it, but there should be minimal to no cost. In my state, I have to pay the filing fee for the adoption (a few hundred $) and then get reimbursed from the county after the fact.

There is no cost if you use a DYFS recommended attorney. They pay all the legal costs directly that way. If you choose to use your own attorney, they will pay the first $500 of expenses and you are responsible after that.

What Robin says is true provided that the child qualifies for subsidy. Only subsidized adoptions result in the direct payment by the State of your legal fees. And, if your child is eligible for subsidy, there is a very large tax credit that you can claim for the tax year in which the childs adoption is finalized. It is approximately $13,000 in tax credit (and that means credit toward your tax liability, NOT simply a deduction from your income). And you do not need to show that you've put any of that money out of pocket towards the adoption - you become eligible to claim the credit simply by virtue of the child's "special needs" status (which is automatic/goes hand in hand with determination by the state that the child is subsidy eligible). many people are very surprised by the fact that there is no cost to adopt (most of the time) through the State foster care system.

My son's adoption was no cost to me.

Wow, I am really surprised by that! I thought we would pay at least a few thousand $$. I also didn't realize there was such a big tax credit. Thanks everyone for all the info! :thankyou:

There wasn't any cost for me. DSS paid for the attorney, for all 4 adoptions (2 were at the same time).

I'm from NJ and I was even given stamped envelopes to send paperwork back to the state. That part of dealing with the state was quite remarkable. Good luck with your journey!

Hey no fair, we adopted twice in Hunterdon and it wasn't quite that easy for us!But in the end we were reimbursed for both boys' adoptions, so, yes no cost.

Well, I'll trade you the stamped envelopes for your time line! My son was fourteen when we started and almost seventeen at finalization. :grr: And every day that passes, I miss those two extra years of having him feel safe and home. But yes, it is amazing the lack of costs associated with an adoption in NJ from foster care.

Both my boys were infants upon arrival to me and 31 months old at adoption but for them they had no idea what was going on (the not feeling safe/at home part) So glad it's over with for you and your son!!