Adoptive Parents

How Much is it Likely to Cost? / How Long is it Likely to Take?

Obviously, the fewer restrictions you place on your “dream child,” the shorter your wait time will be. A 2006 survey of readers of Adoptive Families magazine indicated that almost 60% of those responding had waited less than 6-months after preparing their personal information for a birth mother match — over 80% of them waited less than a year.

And almost all of the babies involved in those matches were either already born or born within 3 months of the match. Less than a third of the survey respondents had to work with more than one birthmother before successfully adopting.

The domestic adoption process, from orientation meeting to state-mandated post-placement services is estimated to cost between $25,000 and $40,000 plus. Some of the expenses are within your control — for example the amount of money you choose to spend on advertising to find a birthmother with whom you would like to work — although most are not. We will gladly forward you the Fee Agreement that you will be asked to sign once you decide to move forward with FFTA.

There are a number of ways you can ease the financial burden of adoption. There are loans and grants specifically designed to help families afford the adoption process, and the IRS allows eligible taxpayers a tax credit to offset much of the expense.

The Adoption Tax Credit (ATC) was extended for one-year (through December 31, 2012).   The highlights of the ATC are;

• The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13,170,
• The ATC is now retroactive to January 1, 2009.  This represents a potential increase of $1,000 for adoptive families.
• The ATC was made refundable.  If a family has no tax liability, the IRS will refund the amount due.

The extension of the ATC through 2011 was passed as part of the health care reform bill which was signed into law by President Obama on Monday, March 22, 2010.

Adoptive Families magazine offers a guide to many of the credits, benefits, subsidies and other resources that can ease the financial burden of adoption. In addition, the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys has compiled a list of adoption resources including grants, loan programs, subsidies and general financial information to assist in financing an adoption. Also check out Resources 4 Adoption.

As tax laws change yearly, please be aware that FFTA does not give advice on tax issues.  Please contact your financial advisor or CPA regarding any adoption credits or write-offs that you may or may not be eligible for according to the current state or Federal law.