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| − | Agency and private adoptions can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on a variety of factors including services provided, travel expenses, birthmother expenses, requirements in the state, and other factors.
| + | Private domestic and [[international]] adoptions can be expensive, ranging from $35,000-$45,000. |
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| − | [[International Adoptions|International adoptions]] can range from $7,000 to $30,000. | + | However, it should be noted that not all types of adoptions are expensive. Adopting from the U.S. [[Foster Care|foster care]] [[system]] is generally the least expensive type of [[adoption]], usually involving little or no cost, and states often provide [[adoption subsidies]] to [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] to help with the expenses of raising a child. |
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| − | Adopting from the U.S. [[Foster Care|foster care]] [[system]] is generally the least expensive type of [[adoption]], usually involving little or no cost, and states often provide subsidies to [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]].
| + | Stepparent and kinship adoptions are also generally not very costly. |
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| − | Stepparent and kinship adoptions are often not very costly.
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| − | There are a growing number of resources to help manage the cost of [[adoption]], including an [[Adoption Tax Credit]], [[Adoption Loans]], [[Adoption Subsidies]], [[Adoption Fundraising]], [[Adoption Subsidies]], and employer-provided [[Adoption Benefits]]
| + | If you're feeling overwhelmed about financing your [[adoption]] the following resources might be of use to you: |
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| | + | [[Adoption Loans]]: https://adoption.com/loans |
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| | + | [[Adoption Fundraising]]: https://adoption.com/fundraising |
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| − | ==[[Adoption Costs]]==
| + | However, for families pursuing private domestic or [[international]] adoptions, there are four key ways to offset costs: |
| − | Agency and private adoptions can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on a variety of factors including services provided, travel expenses, birthmother expenses, requirements in the state, and other factors.
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| − | Prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] may be concerned about the costs of adopting a child and their ability to meet those costs. Becoming a parent is rarely free of expenses—[[pregnancy]] and childbirth can be expensive and even more so without adequate insurance—and [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] may be faced with initial costs that seem challenging.
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| − | ''[[Universal Expenses]]''
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| − | ''[[Adoption-Specific Expenses]]''
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| − | ''[[Resources to Help Defray Adoption Costs]]''
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| − | ''[[Affording Adoption: Additional Resources]]''
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| − | ==[[Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits]]==
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| − | Employee [[adoption]] benefits vary but they are becoming more and more available. In 1990, one study found only 12 percent of employers offered benefits to [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]]: by 2004 the proportion had increased to 39 percent, with an average maximum reimbursement of $3,879 for [[adoption]] expenses.
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| − | Employers that offer [[adoption]] benefits cite advantages for their companies including maintenance of productivity, retention of good employees, a positive public image, and equity in benefits for all employees.
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| − | ==[[Adoption Fundraising]]==
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| − | If the idea of fundraising causes you to cringe, you’re not alone. Many people quickly bypass the idea of fundraising because it sounds too difficult, they feel awkward asking for money, or they simply don’t know where to begin. You may be surprised to learn that it only takes a few good ideas, planning, and some elbow grease to successfully fundraise to help cover your [[adoption]] expenses.
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| − | ==[[Adoption Grants]]==
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| − | Some [[organizations]] and [[Adoption Agencies|adoption agencies]] offer grants to families who inquire and qualify for their program. Typically, grant [[programs]] are for specific children, countries, or other criteria specific to the organization offering the grant. Keep in mind that many other people are applying for the grants as well, so while you may fit all the criteria, you may not receive the grant.
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| − | ==[[Adoption Loans]]==
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| − | Loans are one way to pay for some or all [[Adoption Costs|adoption costs]]. Some [[organizations]] offer low-interest [[Adoption Loans|adoption loans]] to qualifying families. You can also talk to your bank about home equity or line of credit loans, although they are usually at a higher interest rate than that offered for [[adoption]]-specific loans. While loans do require repayment, there are resources that can help you with that once your [[adoption]] is finalized, such as the [[Adoption Tax Credit]].
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| − | ==[[Adoption Subsidies]]==
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| − | In every state there are children with [[Special Needs|special needs]] waiting for adoptive families. In the past, most of these children would wait forever. The costs of care and services were major obstacles for parents who would otherwise [[adopt]] and love them. [[Adoption Subsidies|Adoption subsidies]], also known as [[Adoption Assistance|adoption assistance]], remove many of the obstacles of the past. Financial help and services are now available for children with [[Special Needs|special needs]] and their [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]].
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| − | ====[[Adoption Assistance for Children Adopted From Foster Care]]====
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| − | In every State, children with [[Special Needs|special needs]] are waiting in foster care for adoptive families. The most recent data suggest that an estimated 115,000 children are available to be [[adopted]] from foster care.
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| − | ==[[Adoption Tax Credit]]==
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| − | Tax benefits for [[adoption]] include both a tax credit for qualified [[adoption]] expenses paid to [[adopt]] an eligible child and an exclusion for employer-provided [[Adoption Assistance|adoption assistance]]. Currently the credit has a maximum amount (dollar limitation) of $12,970 per child.
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| | + | # [[Adoption Tax Credit]] |
| | + | # [[Adoption Loans]] |
| | + | # [[Adoption Grants]] |
| | + | # [[Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits]] |
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| | Return to [[Adoption Wiki]] | | Return to [[Adoption Wiki]] |
However, it should be noted that not all types of adoptions are expensive. Adopting from the U.S. foster care system is generally the least expensive type of adoption, usually involving little or no cost, and states often provide adoption subsidies to adoptive parents to help with the expenses of raising a child.