Adoption and Your Finances

Most child adoption agencies aren't seeking out wealthy adoptive parents. Instead, they're looking for parents who can adequately provide for a child. They want families to be able to provide adequate medical care, food, and clothing and a stable home environment. Agencies check this by requiring you to submit a financial statement that discloses your monthly income, your monthly debts, the amount of savings and investments you have, and so on. Basically, they're trying to make sure that, at the end of the month, you have enough left over to provide for your child's needs.

Here are some financial situations that may warrant more scrutiny from the adoption agency or, in some cases, cause you to be denied: a history of bankruptcy, out-of control debt, and failure to pay child support