Across the United States, thousands of children are hoping for a family to call their own. In 2012, over about 5,000 children in Texas were adopted from the foster care system, according to the North American Council on Adoptable Children. But over 13,000 were still waiting for their “forever family.”
Have you ever thought about adoption? As November is National Adoption Month, it’s a great time to consider the possibility of adoption. Take a look at the story of the Crenshaw family, a family that raised their own biological kids and after they were grown, adopted older children from the foster care system and have seen their lives enriched by the beauty of giving children a home. Watch part of their story:
I don’t act like it’s not a challenge, but it’s nothing like watching this adoption process transform my life,” says Floyd Crenshaw. “It is rewarding.”
To learn more about the Crenshaws, including hearing from their kids, see more of their story at AdoptUsKids.
One thing that keeps potential adoptive parents from considering adoption is the stress and difficulty of the process. It’s true that adoption can cost a lot of money and take a long time, especially when considering international adoption. Adopting from the foster care system can be a relatively simple process with little to no out-of-pocket costs. But other forms of adoption can be more complex and expensive.
Adoption costs include payments to adoption agencies, home studies, medical expenses and legal fees. Every adoption has to be legally finalized by the courts, and that process requires a lawyer. According to FindLaw.com, preparing the legal documents for adoption costs up to $2,500, and fees for legal representation range from $2,500 to $12,000.
If you’re considering adoption, but don’t have that kind of money for legal help, you might want to look at a legal protection plan. Some legal protection plans, like Texas Legal, cover members legal fees for adoption in full. While it won’t erase the other costs, it can save you a lot of money and be helpful to know you can find an experienced adoption attorney to help you with the process.
To learn more about adoption and see kids in Texas who are waiting to be adopted, visit Adopt Us Kids and the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange.