Children are priceless, of course, but adoptions aren’t. The following choices and resources can help ease the financial burden so you can achieve the family you want.
In pursuing the path to parenthood, many couples who are having fertility difficulties eventually realize that “it’s more important to become parents than to become pregnant,” as Jim and Erin (not their real names), a couple that I know, recently told me. At that point the focus becomes adoption. But besides having to make a large psychological adjustment, prospective adoptive parents also have to confront the hard reality of finances. Adoptions can range in price from $0 to $40,000 depending upon the type of adoption and where/how it is arranged, according to the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. The following figures come from their site (http://naic.acf. hhs.gov), an excellent place to begin searching for information and resources available in your area.
While the decision to have children is definitely emotional and rarely dictated by finances, costs are an important aspect of planning for a family. For those considering adoption, there are actually many ways to cover at least part of the expenses, and with certain types of adoption there may be very little cost involved.
Employee Benefit Programs
Erin works for a large employer who offers adoption assistance to its full-time employees. About a quarter of the nation’s employers have programs that cover direct reimbursement for adoption expenses upon actual placement of a child in a home. The amounts range from $2,000 to $10,000. Sometimes these programs will provide for medical expenses for the birth mother, too. If your employer does not currently offer adoption benefits, ask about their availability. An employer can request information about offering adoption benefits at www.adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org. The website also offers a list of employers who offer adoption benefits (although many smaller companies might not be listed). Check with your own employer’s benefits department for specifics.
