Domestic Adoption
Who can adopt?
AIS eliminates obstacles to adoption. If you are able to provide a loving, financially and emotionally secure home for a child, AIS has adoption sources available to you with flexible requirements.
- You can adopt if you are single, married, or in a same-sex relationship.
- You can adopt if you are childless or have children.
- You can adopt if you are between the ages of 25 and 55.
- You can adopt if you have the financial means to do so. There is no credit check for adoption.
- You can adopt if you have a religious affiliation or not.
- You can adopt if you have medical conditions or physical disabilities.
- You can adopt if you have a minor arrest record.
- And finally, you can adopt if you can follow instructions & not give up.
How long do I need to wait?
The answer you sometimes hear is three years or more. And yes, this is true for state systems and some very traditional private agencies. However, because of the many agency & attorney resources AIS has available, our families are usually successful in adopting in less than 12 months.
Criteria that could possibly cause a longer wait would be:
- If you have a gender preference
- If you have more than two children
- If you have a budget of $40,000 or less
Our success is due to our continuous effort to build relationships with nationwide agencies and attorneys that place in a short amount of time. We thoroughly research each placement resource & only work with those with proven placement histories.
Our individualized plan of action will allow you to be registered with multiple placement sources. Our lifestyle presentations/profiles (from which the birth parent chooses) are of superior quality.
What is the profile of a typical birthmother?
Our statistics show that the typical birth mother is in her 20’s & is a single parent to one or more children already and doesn’t have financial support from the birth father or extended family to be able to parent another child. They know the realities of parenting and are more likely to go through with an adoption plan. It is rare for us to see teenagers place as they most often choose abortion or co-parent the baby with the help of their own parents.
What happens if the birth parents want the baby back?
This is an extremely sensitive issue. You might have heard stories from the press, but in actuality, once an adoption is finalized, almost 100% of U.S. adoptions are permanent and are never threatened. Working with AIS will help you avoid situations where there is legal risk.
Making Adoption Affordable
How much does adoption cost?
At AIS we work within your budget but are upfront with you regarding how much money you may need to spend. Most agency and attorney fees range from $30,000 to $45,000 for healthy newborns.
What financing options are available to me?
There are numerous financial options available for you and we are constantly researching new opportunities for families.
Financing Options include:
- Home Equity or Refinancing of Home: Usually the lowest percentage rate. And usually the interest on the loan is tax-deductible.
- Employer Contributions: Some employers have benefits to partially defray adoption expenses. Check with your human resources department about a possible Adoption Assistance Program.
- Private Loans: Many families choose to work with their own financial lending institutions to get special loans to provide the needed cash for adoption; talk to your banker.
- Retirement Borrowing: Some families find they can borrow from their retirement savings, then repay themselves with interest. Check with your retirement plan.
- Gifting from Parents: In divesting their assets your parents can gift you up to $14K per year, per spouse with no tax consequences. Check with your tax accountant for updates.
- Adoption Tax Credit: The Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2016 is $13,460. You can find more information at irs.gov
Ready to get started on your adoption journey to your special child?
