Agency Fees:
- Application Fee: $250 (due with application submission)
- Initial Program Fee: $500 (due at profile submission)
- State Police Clearance Letter Fee: $10
- 1st Home Study Fee (AL Residents): $750 (due at 1st Home Study visit)
- 2nd Home Study Fee (AL Residents): $750 (due at 3rd Home Study visit)
- Placement Fee: $13,000 – $20,000 (Home Study fees are credited to this fee)
- ESTIMATED TOTAL: $15,000 – $21,000 (this does not include attorney fees)
Lifeline is a licensed, non-profit adoption ministry, dedicated to full-service help to both the adoptive couple and birth parents.
The Alabama adoption code requires that fees paid by the adoptive parents be related to the expense incurred by the agency. Because every adoption is unique, the costs vary according to the situation. The range fluctuates by the amount of service you receive from the agency, the amount of service the birthmother receives, medical bills, etc. The longer the process with the family the more time, gas, and other resources the social workers expend. Also for many young women, we help with physical needs as well as medical expenses. If a girl stays at our residential care facility then the fee is in the higher part of the range; however, unless a family tells us they plan on paying a “full” fee, the total maternity home bill is seldom recognized.
The actual cost to Lifeline to accomplish each adoption is approximately $30,000.00. While we rely on private donations to support the shortfall, there are adoption related expenses and bills that must be paid and that is what we charge the families. The fees are expected to range from about $21,000.00 to a low of about $14,000.00. The adoptive couple’s ability to pay the agency fees, along with the availability of the income tax credit are factors to be considered in every fee decision. While the above is an estimated range, there are circumstances where the fee could fall outside of this range.
We realize that the unfortunate thing about domestic adoption is that many people see it as a lucrative business, but we try to see it as a ministry to the family, the child, and ultimately the birthmother.
Any couple experiencing significant financial difficulties should ask their social worker about filing an application to be reviewed by the board setting forth the reasons for fee considerations. This should be done, reviewed and dealt with prior to selection for a particular placement. It is the couple’s responsibility to raise this issue early and get a resolution in writing.
When considering Lifeline fees, please remember:
- Some agencies only project their agency fee, which does not include birth parent expenses, hospital and medical fees, etc. Many agencies require a $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 deposit to begin the process, where Lifeline only charges minimal fees before an actual placement is made. A fee of $250 is submitted with the application to adopt. A home study fee of $1,500 is paid in two installments: $750 due at the first home study visit, and $750 due at the third home study visit. This home study fee is credited to the final placement fee. The only other fee incurred before a successful adoption occurs is a program fee of $500, paid to Lifeline at the submission of the family profile. This fee goes to offset the costs associated with maintaining the adoptive parents’ file and showing the family profile to birthmothers.
- Most agencies charge $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 for expenses that can be lost in the case of a failed adoption. In contrast, the large placement fees that reflect the majority of the adoption expenses are charged when a successful adoption occurs. Lifeline couples are never financially involved in the cases that do not result in a placement.
- On March 23, 2010, Public Law 111-148, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was
signed into law by President Obama. In signing the legislation, the adoption tax credit was preserved for
another year and increased to $13,170.
* To see a full article: TAX BENEFITS FOR ADOPTION:THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT written by Executive Director of Lifeline, Herbie Newell, click here. - There will be additional expenses incurred by the family and paid to outside parties (including final legal and court costs), related to filing the adoption petition, obtaining a final decree of adoption, birth certificates, etc.
- When an actual placement is contemplated, the agency will inform you of the actual cost of the placement. This fee should fall within the parameters already set forth.
- A family’s concern over a fee or their ability to pay a full fee should never be a reason for not applying to Lifeline. Questions regarding fees or other policies can be addressed to your social worker.
