We keep running into little snags throughout pursuing adoption. It took forever to find a lawyer who would handle our case and even longer finding the right lawyer for the case. After we found the right lawyer, Issac hit our hometown. We had to evacuate and spent our savings trying to get out of dodge. We got back and the birthmother dropped off the face of the earth. And now that things are in place again, we just can't afford the $6000 retainer. We have considered just filing for custody, but tonight we were in the Emergency Room (found out the baby has tonsillitis) and the nurse was telling me that there were all sorts of grants and funds that would help with adoption. But everything I've found is for people who are going through adoption agencies. Has anyone gone through with an independent 3rd party adoption and been able to use grants or financial assistance? If so, what programs assisted you?
We filed for custody first because we thought that would be the fastest way to guarantee guardianship. We then started looking for a lawyer and ours only required a $1000 retainer. We paid $250 for a home study and an additional $500 after the adoption to our lawyer. Our birth mom signed over her rights but the birth dad was served papers and never responded so his rights were terminated then the adoption was finalized. We paid about $200 for the guardianship. If you file for guardianship in our state anyway and get it, the mom or dad would have to take you to court, prove she/he can hold a job, prove she/he has their own place to live, plus they look at what would be in the best interest of the child if they wanted to regain custody so if you're worried about her trying to get the baby back this may help.
Thank you all for the support. Adoption is pretty much unheard of in our neck of the woods and there are so few people who have done it, so there is very little support. I did find one grant that may help us and fit our situation, Lord willing. It's from God's Grace Adoption Ministries, Inc. It is a dollar for dollar match that will match up to $2500 of what we can possibly aquire through special offerings and fundraisers through the church and community.
That is great that you found the grant! :)
Quoting CatGriffin:Thank you all for the support. Adoption is pretty much unheard of in our neck of the woods and there are so few people who have done it, so there is very little support. I did find one grant that may help us and fit our situation, Lord willing. It's from God's Grace Adoption Ministries, Inc. It is a dollar for dollar match that will match up to $2500 of what we can possibly aquire through special offerings and fundraisers through the church and community.
New Here. Lots of questions.
- CatGriffin
on Sep. 14, 2012 at 11:07 PM