Home Study $1500 (home studies are good for one year)

Any additional visits to the home, such as updating a home study, moving, post placement visits, etc. are assessed at $75.00 per hour, plus mileage.

If needed, living expenses for birthmother from sixth month of pregnancy to one month following birth: varies, but the average is under $2000.

Medical expenses for mother and child vary from $1000 to 10,000 or higher depending on needs of the mother and child. Some mothers are covered by public aid or insurance during the first part of the pregnancy before they choose adoption and some of the expenses can be met in that manner.

Legal expenses for the petition to adopt, filing fees, guardian ad litem, etc. range from $1000-3000 depending on the case and the lawyer you choose.

If you should be matched to a birthmother that is in another state and the child will be born in that state there can be additional expenses for an agency to provide counseling for her in that state, travel expenses, and legal expenses in that state. Interstate Compact criteria must be met and this can take as little as 4 or 5 working days to 3 weeks, depending upon the state. You cannot bring the child back to Illinois until Interstate Compact gives you permission.

Expect the total for an adoption to range between $12,000 and 25,000 depending upon the situation.

For an international adoption there is the Home Study, INS fees, agency fees, traveling expenses, re adoption in the US, and various other fees depending upon the country. Recent international adoptions range from $15,000 to 25,000.