If anyone has any experience with independent adoption costs that would be willing to share, that would be great. We were approached with a situation today about a baby due any day. Baby's mother has health insurance, father is on board with signing, mom is not working with an agency and is not requesting any expenses. It will be a "baby born" situation and we would need to update our home study after taking custody (not sure if this is allowed in all states, but ours would allow us to take guardianship first).
I know adoptive parents would need a lawyer and mom would need a lawyer, and we would pay finalization fees. Are there fees that I'm missing? Has anyone completed this type of adoption that might shed light on what to expect in fees? Also, I read that in private adoptions, consent is revocable until the "decree is issued." Does that mean consent is revocable until the adoption is final...as in several months later?
Re: Independent adoption?
I did independent adoption in North Carolina. Our attorney was a flat rate, $3,500. BM's attorney was $1,500. There were also some miscellaneous court costs/paperwork, etc. It was very reasonable.
I have never heard that the BPs can change their minds until you get the adoption decree. That is definitely not the case in NC (unless the BM could prove some kind of distress when making the decision). She signed paperwork the day after DD was born and then we had to wait 7 days. We didn't receive her adoption decree until 3 months later, but after that 7 days, it was pretty much final.
Good luck!
If you don't mind my asking would you mind explaining how you were approached? The reason I ask is my husband and i would like to go the similar route first but aren't quite sure how to start and how we would really get any leads. Did you just let everyone you know know about the adoption? Did you advertise? I understand if you would rather not share! Thanks!
Mother of two wonderful boys! Blessed through adoption.
We spent less than 10K, including travel and HS, on our DD1's independent adoption. Very inexpensive!
Our state had a ten day waiting period for TPR and then it was irrevocable.
Let me know if you have any questions. Our story was much like yours-- happened quickly!
Forever our's October 17th 2012
Hi, Crene84!
I am also in NC (Raleigh area) and after a few hearbreaking years of fertility treatments, my husband and I are ready to move forward with adoption. Any info that you could share would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to hearing form you.