If you, or someone you know, is interested in setting up an adoption with a birth mother, you might be aware of the fact that the financial aspects of the situation can be a bit confusing. Many people are unsure who is typically responsible for paying what expenses, and what the adoptive parents should pay for. While there is no clear-cut answer since every situation is different, there are a few basic rules to know as you begin to navigate your particular circumstances.
Understanding Fee Arrangements For Adoptive Parents
First and foremost, any financial arrangements made between the adoptive parents and the birth mother should ideally be done with the involvement of a third party.
- In most cases this third party is an adoption agency or agent, but many people, in addition, consider working with a lawyer.
- The third party’s main purpose is to supervise the agreement as well as to create some paperwork that outlines the agreement reached between the adoptive parents and the birth mother, and ensures everyone’s needs and rights are protected.
- This type of paperwork is mainly to prevent anyone from questioning the legality of the situation later, and it will give both the adoptive parents and the birth mother herself peace of mind in terms of what to expect.
Ensuring the Legality of Expenditures
It’s important to note that regardless of what financial arrangements you make, it is illegal for adoptive parents to pay a fee to the birth mother for the child. In some states, however, arrangements can be made for the adoptive parents to cover pregnancy and birth-related expenses on the birth mother’s behalf. These types of arrangements are, again, typically handled by an adoption agency or someone similarly versed in the legalities of the arrangement, so it’s important to get input from the proper authorities before proceeding.
In many cases, an adoption agency will be able to assist a birth mother with medical bills and other pregnancy expenses. Money is not meant to change hands between the adoptive parents and the birth mother, but for adoptive parents who wish to financially contribute to the carrying and birth of the child, the agency is there to ensure the funds are handled properly. Most adoption agencies operate on a non-profit basis.
Getting Help
Whether you’re considering adopting, know someone who is, or whether you’re considering putting a child up for adoption yourself, you should speak to adoption agencies and lawyers in your area who have worked in the field and can tell you the specific laws in your state. In most cases, there are resources available to help the birth mother with any expenses, without crossing the line of propriety that exists with the adoptive parents. A skilled and qualified adoption attorney will ensure that there are no illegal actions involved in any financial transactions, and with something as important as an adoption, it’s incredibly important to ensure that every action taken is above-board and handled correctly.
