Regulation of Adoption Expenses

Birth Parent Expenses Allowed
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-8-24

Payment or reimbursement of the medical expenses directly related to the mother's pregnancy and hospitalization for the birth of the child and medical care for the child is permitted.

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed
Citation:

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-8-13(c)
Payments for services related to the adoption or the placement of the minor are permitted.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-8-24
It is unlawful for any person or entity to directly or indirectly offer inducements to a birth parent to relinquish his or her child. As used in this subsection, ''inducements'' shall include any financial assistance, either direct or indirect, from whatever source.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-8-13(b); Rules and Regs. R. 290-9-2-.06
A fee must be paid to the clerk of the court for the filing of the adoption petition, as established by §§ 15-6-77 and 15-6-77.1.

In regulation: Prior to the acceptance of an application or fees of any kind, a child-placing agency shall provide information to prospective adoptive parent(s) to assist them in making an informed decision about applying to adopt. The information may be in the form of a written handout. The information shall include the agency's fee schedule and refund policies.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-8-13(c), (d)
Each petitioner in any adoption proceeding shall file with the petition, in a manner acceptable to the court, a report fully accounting for all disbursements of anything of value made or agreed to be made, directly or indirectly, by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of the petitioner in connection with the adoption, including, but not limited to, any expenses incurred in connection with:

• The birth of the minor
• Placement of the minor with the petitioner
• Medical or hospital care received by the mother or minor during the mother's prenatal care and confinement
• Services relating to the adoption or placement of the minor for adoption

Every attorney for a petitioner in any adoption proceeding shall file, in a manner acceptable to the court, before the decree of adoption is entered, an affidavit detailing all sums paid or promised to that attorney, directly or indirectly, from whatever source, for all services of any nature rendered or to be rendered in connection with the adoption; provided, however, that if the attorney received or is to receive less than $500.00, the affidavit need only state that fact.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

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