Tennessee couples who are considering adoption might wonder what it may cost. This depends upon what kind of adoption it is and may range from very little to as much as $50,000 or more. There are four main ways that people may adopt. In a private agency adoption, parents might spend between $20,000 and $45,000. These costs could include legal fees, court documentation, parental training, a home study, and various other medical, legal and counseling expenses.
Independent adoption occurs when the adoptive and biological parents know one another. Costs could range from $15,000 to $40,000. These are for similar items as in a private adoption and may also cover the birth mother’s medical expenses. Some parents may go outside the United States for a foreign adoption. Immigration processing and travel are included in these costs, and the total may be more than $50,000. American parents completing a foreign adoption are bound by the terms of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Finally, there is the option of adopting through the foster system, and this may cost very little or nothing at all. However, unless they have been surrendered by their parents, infants are rarely eligible since the biological parents have a certain amount of time to comply with state requirements.
Adoptions may also occur within families. For example, if parents are unable to care for children, the grandparents, aunts or uncles, or other relatives may step in. A stepparent may also wish to adopt a child in some circumstances. Whatever the type of adoption, an attorney may be helpful to guide parents through the process and ensure that all documentation is prepared correctly.
