Private Adoption fees though Lawyer

Miss-Meme · 08-15-2006, 03:03 AM

Can anyone tell me about what it would cost to do a private adoption though a Lawyer?

We'd have the homestudy done with someone else.

Cassandra Gayle · 08-15-2006, 10:56 PM

I only know what my attorney charges.

Miss-Meme · 08-15-2006, 11:44 PM

How much?

ChristinaShawn2 · 09-04-2006, 05:00 AM

Miss Meme- I was just wondering if you had found anything out about the private adoption lawyer fees. My cousin just told me today that she is pregnant and would like me to adopt the baby. It is still very early in the process but that's one of the things I was wondering. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Miss-Meme · 09-04-2006, 11:55 AM

No. Noone replied back about the cost. I know states are different but I'd just like to know a ball park.

We meet with the PBirthmom on Tuesday. And then we will call out Lawyer again. I'm hoping he might give us a ball park.

Good luck! How far along is your cousin?

ChristinaShawn2 · 09-05-2006, 01:52 AM

Miss Meme- she is 14 weeks pg. All of this is happening very suddenly for us. We were in the car together yesterday talking about all of the problems I have with fertility and as a joke I said you just need to get pregnant and give it to me. She asked a couple of times if I was serious and then told me that she was pg and did want me to adopt the baby. It's all a little surreal still. I'm just worried that the lawyer fees are going to be in the thousands. We aren't quite prepared for that, we thought we were going to have awhile before any of the treatments worked for me.

JESS4HOUSTON · 09-05-2006, 02:15 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Adopt...e=UTF8&s=books

I have this book and here is what it says

Attorneys fee 5,000

Miss-Meme · 09-05-2006, 03:11 AM

Remember Christina, you get $10,000 back on your taxes. It's still hard because you have to have the money first. We're thinking we're going to have to take out a small loan.

Jess, Thats not bad at all. Less then what I was thinking. I was thinking more like 6-7 and DH was thinking 8-9.

Don't forget your homestudy cost Christina. Ours will be an update Homestudy which is still going to cost about $800.

ChristinaShawn2 · 09-05-2006, 04:36 PM

I spoke to an attorney's office this morning. they said if you have the consent of birthmother and birthfather and it is completely uncontested that the cost is less than 700. Who would I speak to about the home study?

Miss-Meme · 09-05-2006, 06:34 PM

Wow! Thats a great price! DH talked to someone he works with who adopted someone in her families baby and it was about $1000.

I really don't know who to tell you to go with. Maybe check with your county? We went with a foster place that we used years ago (like 7) they updated us 4 years ago when we first looked into adoption. So I called them again. They said they could do it for us again.

Check with the county, foster places, and adoption places. Someone should be able to do it for you.

ChristinaShawn2 · 09-06-2006, 03:35 AM

Miss Meme- Did you meet with the birthmom today? Just wondering how that went for you. How old is the child that you are adopting? Also, I wanted to know if you have any type of benefits or leave from work for adoption. I have an appointment with the HR lady at work next Tuesday but I think I know the basics of what they cover.

Miss-Meme · 09-06-2006, 05:28 AM

Yes, we met with her. She is 20 and is 20 weeks along. IT'S A BOY!!

I work at a daycare so I get no benefits, but I believe that you can take the FMA leave the same as if you have your own child.

JESS4HOUSTON · 09-06-2006, 03:06 PM

With adoption you can take FMLA which is unpaid leave from work and it means your work has to guarantee you a job when you come back. It doesn’t have to be the same job you left just a job. And FMLA allows you to have 12 weeks of leave. Also you health insurance should cover all the medical expenses and the mom's health care should cover hers. Now even though I've never adopted (yet) its something I've been researching and reading about for years.

Miss-Meme~ that is so wonderful!! Can I ask how did you meet this birth mom? Is the bio dad ok with the adoption? That’s so awesome!! I'll keep yall in my prayers!! YAY!! This puts a smile on my face

Edited b/c I cant spell!! lol

Miss-Meme · 09-06-2006, 08:07 PM

Though someone I worked with one day, who knew a guy who was helping a young girl find a home.

ChristinaShawn2 · 09-08-2006, 04:05 AM

So far it looks like my company will give me 8 paid weeks off and reimburse expenses 80% up to $3000.00. I was just wondering what other companies do. Is there any major step besides the attorney and the home study that I am missing. I imagine that when I sit down with the attorney he will tell me what I need to do for the legal portion but I am so new to this that I feel like I need step by step instructions otherwise I'm gonna overlook something really important. If anyone has any suggestions on books or websites let me know because I really need some direction. Also, I was wondering if you adopt are you able to get some type of support for daycare or is it the same guidelines as just having your own baby?