Giving a child a "forever family" is every adoptive parent's dream. To these prospective parents, no matter how many hoops there are to jump through, how much scrutiny one might face, and how long they have to wait, fulfilling the dream of parenthood is worth the sacrifice.
On the flip side, however, the financial costs of adoption can become a nightmare. Although adoption through a public agency may be free or inexpensive, other adoptions can cost $40,000 or more, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
This guide will walk you through the expenses of adopting a child with the goal of minimizing those costs. By exploring various adoption scenarios and featuring advice from adoption experts, we hope to ease you into the adoption process with a realistic idea of what to expect.