overview of adoption in tennessee

Adoption in Tennessee is a legal process through which the parental rights of the biological parents are terminated, and a new set of legal parents are selected for the child.

The Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) is responsible for regulating the adoption process for children in the state's foster care system, and works to ensure that each child who is placed for adoption finds a permanent home that meets their emotional, physical, and intellectual needs. For private adoptions, an agency will. typically be involved, and must ensure the appropriateness of the home and that the adoption is in the child's best interests.

To adopt a child in Tennessee, individuals or couples must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, home study, and parenting classes. Tennessee encourages the adoption of children by relatives, including grandparents, step-parents, and other family members. The adoption process in Tennessee can be lengthy and complicated, but it is an incredible gift to give to a child.

importance of understanding adoption costs

Adoption can be a fulfilling and life-changing experience for both the adoptive family and the child. However, it is important for prospective adoptive parents to understand the adoption costs in Tennessee before beginning the process.

Adoption expenses can vary depending on the type of adoption, agency fees, legal fees, travel expenses, and other costs, so it's crucial to research and understand these costs to avoid any surprises later on. Being prepared for adoption expenses can help families make informed decisions about their adoption journey and create a realistic budget.

Additionally, Tennessee offers financial assistance programs for adoptive families, such as the Adoption Assistance Program, which can help alleviate some of the costs. Ultimately, understanding adoption costs in Tennessee can help eliminate financial stress and allow families to focus on the joy and fulfillment of bringing a child into their home. 

understanding adoption costs in tennessee

application and home study fees

In Tennessee, adoption application fees typically range from $50 to $250, depending on whether the adoption is through a private agency or the state's foster care system. In addition to the application fee, prospective adoptive parents are required to undergo a home study, which assesses their ability to provide a safe and stable home for a child.

Home study fees vary widely depending on the agency or provider chosen and can range from $1,000 to $3,500. It is important for prospective adoptive parents to do their research and budget accordingly, as these fees can quickly add up. Some agencies may offer fee waivers or sliding scales based on income, so it is worth exploring all options. While these fees can be costly, they are a necessary part of the adoption process to ensure that children are placed in safe and loving homes.

agency fees

 Adoption in Tennessee can be an expensive process, with fees ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. The cost depends on various factors, such as the type of adoption, the age of the child, and the level of services required. Domestic adoption typically costs less than international adoption, and adopting an older child is generally less expensive than adopting an infant.

In addition to standard fees, such as home study and legal fees, Tennessee adoption agencies may charge additional fees for services such as post-placement supervision and counseling. It is important to research and compare fees from multiple agencies before choosing one, as well as to inquire about possible financial assistance or grants.

Here, it is important to contact agencies and determine which is the best fit for you and your family. Most are more than happy to discuss their pricing and fee structure with prospective adoptive parents.

medical and counseling expenses

In Tennessee, adoptive parents are responsible for covering the medical and counseling expenses of their adopted children. This means that any medical assessments, treatments, and therapies that the child requires must be paid for by the adoptive parents.

Counseling services may also be necessary to help the child adjust to their new home and family, and these costs will also fall to the adoptive parents. It is important for families considering adoption in Tennessee to carefully consider the potential expenses involved, as medical and counseling costs can be significant depending on the needs of the child.

In addition, you may be required to pay for some expenses for the birth mother if you are adopting a newborn. Specifically, birth mothers are entitled to an attorney, counseling for a year, birth-related medical expenses, and financial assistance with housing, utilities, maternity clothes, food, and transportation during the last 90 days of their pregnancy and 45 days following birth - all at the adoptive parents' expense.

factors influencing adoption costs

type of adoption

 Adoption costs can vary greatly depending on the type of adoption being pursued. International adoptions tend to be the most expensive due to travel costs, legal fees, and agency fees. Domestic private adoptions can also be costly, as birth mothers may request financial assistance for medical expenses and living costs (see above). On the other hand, adopting a child from the foster care system is typically the least expensive option as there are minimal agency fees and legal fees are paid for by the Department of Children's Services.

Other factors that can influence adoption costs include legal fees, home study fees, and travel expenses. It is important for prospective adoptive parents to carefully consider their budget and explore all financial resources available to them, such as adoption tax credits and employer adoption benefits. Additionally, researching and comparing different adoption agencies can help prospective parents find the most cost-effective approach to adoption.

adoption agency or attorney fees

In addition to caring for a new child, prospective adoptive parents must also consider the fees paid to the adoption agency who matches the parents with a child, and their attorney who handles the legal work.

Agency fees vary from agency to agency, but most application fees and home studies will cost around $2,500 or $3,000. On top of that, prospective adoptive parents will need to hire an attorney to complete the legal work, which can range from a simple relative adoption to a lengthy and expensive battle to terminate parental rights. Because most attorneys bill by the hour, it's difficult to estimate fees; however, adoptive parents should expect at least $2,000 in legal fees.

cost considerations and financial assistance

understanding the potential financial burden 

Adopting a child in Tennessee can be financially challenging. Adoptive parents should carefully consider their financial situation and develop a realistic budget for the adoption process and raising a child. Financial assistance and tax credits may be available to help offset the costs. It's crucial to fully understand the potential financial burden before embarking on the adoption process. 

adoption tax credits and deductions

There is a federal tax credit available in most adoptions. You can find information directly from the IRS here.

Importantly, the tax credit is not available in the following adoptions:

• Adoptions in connection with surrogacy arrangements;

• Stepparent adoptions; and,

• Adult adoptions.

So long as you are not adopting a spouse's child, an adult, or a child born out of a surrogacy agreement, you may be eligible to claim a tax credit for qualified expenses, including reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs and attorney fees, traveling expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging while away from home), and other expenses that are directly related to and for the principal purpose of the legal adoption of an eligible child.

You should consult with a tax expert if you are interested in claiming the credit.

the role of an attorney in the adoption process

Although an attorney can be (in some cases) another major expense in the adoption process, hiring one will be some of the best money you’ll spend. An adoption attorney can help guide you through the process and ensure you follow all the rules along the way. Here's why you should always hire an attorney. 

Because the end goal of adoption is to add a child to your family, there are many laws and statutory requirements that you must follow, or else risk your adoption being invalid. An adoption attorney will advise you and ensure that you remain in compliance with the adoption statute and that you don’t run afoul of the rules.

On top of giving you advice, your attorney will also draft all of the necessary adoption paperwork (which can be pretty arduous). In the simplest adoptions, you will need to file at least a Petition and an Order, both of which require specific statutory language to be valid. If your adoption is more complicated, you may be required to terminate another parent’s rights meaning service of process, as well as a trial. When your child is at stake, it’s not worth the risk of saving a few bucks by representing yourself!

An attorney in East Tennessee will generally charge by the hour, anywhere from $150-450/hour. On top of that, you’ll be required to deposit a retainer fee, which can be non-refundable depending on the attorney. Most agreed adoptions will run between $2-3,000.00 in attorney’s fees, whereas a contested adoption (where the biological parents fight the termination of their rights) can cost upwards of $30-40,000.00. It all depends on the circumstances of your case, and there’s no way to accurately estimate the final bill.

the bottom line

The bottom line in adoption cases is that they vary widely in cost. Factors that will determine how expensive an adoption will be include: the type of adoption, the experience of the attorney, and the disposition of the opposing party.

Generally, the least expensive will be a state-subsidized adoption, because the state pays for legal fees.

The most expensive type will be an international adoption or a heavily contested adoption. In the former, your money will mostly be spent on agency fees and travel fees. For the latter, most of your money will be spent on legal and attorney fees for litigation.

Agreed adoptions, especially stepparent adoptions, will run you around $2-3,000.00 for everything.

If you’re interested in finding out more, book a consultation and give us more information about your goal! We’ll be able to give you a rough estimate on cost, timeline, and everything else you need to know to finalize your adoption.