The Benefits of Domestic Adoption

 Posted on September 03, 2018 in Family Law

Choosing to adopt a child is a life-changing decision for both the potential parents and the child. Though you may have made up your mind about adopting, the process involves much more than just a signature on paper. One of the first choices that must be made is the type of adoption you wish to have. Common misconceptions about domestic and international adoptions often lead people into selecting the latter; however, many people fail to realize that international adoption is not always the best choice for every family.

Cost

Many people believe that international adoption costs far less than domestic adoption, but this is often not the case. According to Adoptive Families’ 2016 survey, the average cost to adopt from China was $36,070, Ethiopia was $38,667, and South Korea was $46,412. These are three of the most popular countries to adopt from, with China taking the lead at 2,354 adoptions to the U.S. in 2015. That same year, the average cost for domestic adoption through an attorney totaled $34,594.

Many people fail to recognize the travel and medical expenses that are involved in international adoptions. Often times the adoptive parents must get vaccinated, along with their future child, and make multiple trips to their future child’s country of origin. Travel and medical expenses greatly increase the cost of international adoptions.

Timing

Though timing varies family to family, domestic adoptions often take less time than international ones. All those seeking to adopt a healthy infant from China in the 2014-2015 Adoptive Families’ survey waited five years or longer whereas 67 percent of families seeking domestic adoption through an attorney were matched with a child within one year. Child availability, traveling time, and paperwork create this time gap between domestic and international adoption.

Medical Information

Being able to protect your child is one of the most important responsibilities of a parent. This includes knowing their medical history and background. International adoption can result in blurred lines and a lack of medical information. Medical records are often nonexistent and family history is usually unknown. Those adopting domestically are usually given medical records and often receive information on the family. This is not only beneficial for future medical emergencies, but also for the child’s own curiosity down the line.

Contact a Kane County Adoption Attorney

If you are considering a domestic adoption, speak with one of our experienced Kane County adoption attorneys for more information on the adoption process. We can provide you with legal representation to promptly and successfully help your family grow. Call Shaw Sanders, P.C. at 630-584-5550 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Adoption-Cost-Timing-051816.pdf

https://www.americanadoptions.com/adopt/domestic_international