People love to read stories about adoption, whether it’s a child from foster care, a local orphanage, or from another country. However, adoption has many components surrounding it that many people do not know. To better inform the general public on those components, here are five facts you might not know about adoption.
- The healthcare costs can be high
Adopted children are more likely to have special healthcare needs than naturally born children. According to a study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics, issues such as moderate to severe health problems, learning disabilities, developmental delay, or physical impairment are common among adopted children. However, adopted children are more likely to receive previous preventive medical care than naturally born children.
- Adoptions can be expensive
The cost of an adoption varies depending on multiple factors, including whether the adoption is domestic or international, if it is from an agency, or from the foster care system. Child Welfare Information Gateway found that adoptions from a private agency can range from $20,000 to $40,000, be it international or domestic. Adoptions through the foster care system tend to have fewer expenses compared to a private agency due to federal and state assistance programs that lower financial obstacles; with costs ranging between $0 to $2,500 as stated on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
- Adoptions can have tax benefits
For those who are concerned about the price of adoption, there are ways to compensate for the cost. According to the IRS: tax benefits for adoptions can come in two ways: one is a tax credit for qualified expenses paid to adopt an eligible child; the other is an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance. As of 2019, the maximum dollar limit for the credit is $14,080 per child.
- Age of adopted children tends to be older
Most people tend to think of babies or toddlers when it comes to adoption, but the average age of a child adopted from foster care is between 7 and 8. Many children spend an average of 5 years in foster care waiting to be adopted, with teenagers being the least likely to find families.
- Adoption cases are confidential
When a couple adopts a child, the case file and any information related to the adoption are sealed and not viewable by the public. The purpose behind making adoptions confidential is to remove any stigmas surrounding adoption for potential adoptive parents concerned with the information being available to anyone; as well as protect the well-being of the child.
These are just the tip of the iceberg. Twenty additional facts could be added to this post and still wouldn’t cover the plethora of components associated with adoption. Nonetheless, if you clicked on this post because you, or someone you know, is interested in adopting, knowing this information could be the push you need to get that process started. Give us a call and set up a consultation. We at The Adoption Law Firm are happy to start this journey with you.
My name is John Pierce Lemire. Born and raised in a Christian home in Alabama, I have always had a strong passion for justice. Spending most of my education being home schooled, I had the opportunity to compete in Speech and Debate Tournaments across the country during my high school years. The invaluable experience I gained through Speech and Debate led me to pursue a career as a lawyer. Having graduated high school, I am now a Junior studying a Bachelor of Science in Economics at Auburn University At Montgomery, with plans to attend Law School and become an attorney.
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