“Why should we pay adoption fees up front, before we have a match? I have a friend who is adopting too, and she says that her agency only asks for part of the fee up front. And then once they’re matched, they pay the rest of the fee. Why should we be paying an adoption agency in advance?”
At our adoption agency and with many adoption professionals, the client pays fees when we begin working together. By doing so, we’re telling you that we’re going to put all of our efforts into your adoption. Paying your adoption fees in advance also means that you’re willing to make yourself available to consider every one of the birth mother situations we present to you. When you have the commitment like this coming on both sides, the adoption will succeed.
Some will argue against paying an adoption agency in advance, and say things like “But if we pay up front, the agency has no incentive.” If your adoption professional has a good track record and wants to keep it that way, they need to keep their clients satisfied! At Lifetime Adoption Agency, this has always been our incentive.
Another agency, such as the one your friend is contracted with, might ask you to pay a small fee up front. A second fee is due once they match, and a third fee is due once their child comes home. We’ve found that this fee structure actually works against the adoptive couple.
The agency is motivated to get you a match, even if it’s not a solid one. If the adoption falls through or the birth mother reclaims her baby, you don’t get a refund on that match fee. The next time they have a match for you, you’ll need to pay again.
It’s best to find an adoption agency that will charge you one flat fee for the work it does to find you a child. You need an agency that will work with you for a set period of time, or until a match is found.
Are you preparing to have professional photos taken for your adoption profile? Or maybe you’ve set an in-person meeting with your home study provider and want to look presentable. Looking good and saving money on a manicure is possible with this simple tip. It’ll help you feel confident, while at the same time save money for your adoption budget.
Many hopeful adoptive couples have found that they need to allocate more funds to go through the process. Domestic adoption does come with the potential of a high price tag since there are so many people working on your behalf. Money may be standing in the way for you to realize your dream of adoption. Today, we’re sharing about a few financial tools that you should avoid using to afford adoption. If you do, your long-term financial profile and your family will be negatively affected.
Many adoptive parents have asked us, “I’ve heard adoption is expensive. How can we afford adoption?”
Many waiting adoptive have successfully used the “Envelope Fundraiser” to fund their adoptions. It’s pretty easy and can lead to lots of money raised. With the Envelope Fundraiser, you set a certain amount of envelopes to offer (100 to 200) and write numbers on each, starting with #1. You can either show them in a public place like your church’s lobby or do an online version.
