Many families who wish to adopt a child – as well as of course birth parents who make the difficult decision to give a child up for adoption – often become discouraged because of the financial costs involved.
However, adopting a child in Texas or finding the right family to adopt your child isn’t necessarily as expensive as you might think. There are a variety of ways you can potentially fund the process, if you know where to look.
In this post, we will examine the costs involved with adopting a child in Texas, and outline why adoption may be more affordable than you think.
An overview of adoption costs
Adoption costs in Texas are made up of a combination of legal fees, medical costs, agency fees, the cost of filing the necessary paperwork, and potentially other expenses too, depending on your situation and that of the child in question.
This means that the total financial cost of adopting can vary greatly, depending on the type of adoption undertaken and the process itself.
Costs for birth parents
Making the choice to give your child up for adoption is of course probably the most difficult decision you will ever have to make, but fortunately, cost does not have to be a barrier if you decide that placing your child with adoptive parents is the best option.
Facilitating an adoption with The Adoption Alliance is completely free for birth parents – see our Frequently Asked Questions page to find out more.
Costs for adoptive parents
The cost of adopting in Texas depends on the agency that you use and how complicated the adoption process is in your particular situation. Below are some very rough estimates to give you some perspective on the basics costs involved:
- Adopting an older American child in Texas is the least expensive option, with fees generally totaling a few thousand dollars in order to cover the cost of the necessary paperwork and legal expenses.
- Adopting an American infant rather than an older child is more expensive, with the total cost fees for this type of adoption averaging about $40,000-$45,000, although in some cases the costs may be higher.
- International adoptions tend to be the most expensive option, with expenses ranging from $25,000 – $50,000 or more from start to finish.
Types of financial assistance for adoptions in Texas
Adoption isn’t an endeavor to undertake lightly, but if a lack of funds is your only barrier to being able to adopt, there are a range of different ways in which adoptive parents can help to reduce the costs and get assistance with the expenses involved. Below are common financial options to research and consider to see if any work for you:
- If your employer offers a benefits program for their workers, you may be eligible for some financial assistance for adoption as part of this, so contact your company’s HR department to find out more.
- Federal tax credits for adoption expenses as well as income exclusions for financial assistance from your employer can also help you to save or reclaim some of the costs.
- Some nonprofits and charities offer grants and subsidies for adoptive parents, which your adoption agency can advise on.
- Fundraising using online crowdfunding platforms or local campaigns within your community can also help to raise some of the funds required to facilitate an adoption.
- Many couples considering adoption also get assistance with the associated costs from friends and family who wish to help the couple to adopt a child.
Any questions about the cost of adoption in Texas?
If you are considering placing your child for adoption in Texas or wish to adopt a child of your own, The Adoption Alliance is here to help ensure that the process is as straightforward as possible.
If you have any questions about the costs involved with adoption in Texas or need guidance on how to fund an adoption, contact us today.
