Adoption is often a win-win situation: a couple is able to have a first, or additional child, and a baby is able to find a home that they might have not otherwise have had. With this being said, there are some things you should know before you go through with your adoption. Make sure you’re prepared with these tips.
Who Can Be Adopted
As with most things, there are regulations in terms of who can be adopted as a child. For example, states such as Colorado, Indiana, and Rhode Island require for the child being adopted to be under age 18. Other states and territories have various other laws concerning the restrictions and rules for adopting. Make sure you research what is and isn’t legal in your city and state. For example, if you didn’t do research, you wouldn’t know that half of the states allow adoption of adults!
Who Can Adopt
Single individuals can adopt a child, or more commonly, a husband and wife can jointly adopt a child. One generally has to be 18 years of age or older to adopt a child, and some states raise the bar to an even higher age. For example, in Colorado, Delaware, and Oklahoma, one has to be 21 and in Georgia and Idaho, one has to be 25. Certain states including Florida, completely bar homosexual couples from adopting, and this should be taken into consideration. Adopters often also has to be a state resident.
Cost of Adoption
The monetary cost of adoption truly varies. It can sometimes be free, but it can also run up to $50,000 per child. A government program, such as California’s County Foster/Adopt Program, will generally run between free of charge to $1,000. The downside is that you aren’t able to be as selective, and if you want a younger child or infant, you’re likely out of luck, since the options tend to be older children.
Non-profit agencies tend to run one between $10,000 and $20,000 per adoption. You will get a newborn, however. According to a Newmarket lawyer, Lain T Donnell, atorney adoptions of newborns run one from $20,000 to $50,000.
The adoption costs so much because one has to go through many legal steps, including hiring a lawyer, along with qualified social workers. There are also so many small costs, such as notarization.
Who can be adopted, who can adopt, and the costs of adoption are just some of the many things to be informed about when undertaking an adoption. Make sure you know other factors, such as the length of the process, so you know what to expect.
