is physically, emotionally, financially, capable of providing for the child. All state laws and
requirements must be adhered to. State adoption laws vary.
2. How can AFS help me adopt? AFS provides extensive outreach, networks with health
care facilities, crisis centers and applicable resources to ensure that awareness of it's
services are recognized and utilized.
3. How much will the adoption cost? An independent adoption, as you are investigating, is
dependant on each situation. Some birthmothers require financial assistance, housing,
medical, and transportation. Some do not. In all cases, attorney fees, court costs, home
study fees, and facilitation service fees should be factored in the adoption budget. AFS
strongly urges all adoptive parents(s) to realistically define their Adoptive Budget and
adhere to such. AFS can provide assistance with this.
4. What is AFS fee? $8,500 for a two year contract: half upon contract initiation,
the balance upon agreed Birthmother match. AFS deems this fair and reasonable.
5. What services do you provide for the $8,500 fee? AFS provides pre and post adoption
services. Once you retain AFS to assist with your Birthmother/Adoptive Parent match, AFS
will immediately define your requirements per your application, solicit it's extensive
networking community, and seek appropriate services. For a complete list of services,
please see Birthmother Services and New Family Services links.
6. Do you have infants? All AFS clients have adopted newborn infants. Almost all clients
have been at the hospital to be at the birth or shortlly thereafter. All have taken the baby
home from the hospital. It is important to know that AFS is not a placement agency, it is a
facilitation service which means it does the Birthmother/Adoptive Parent matches. The
Birthmother places her child for adoption with the Adoptive Parents.
7. How and where does AFS find it's birthmothers? Through it's vast advertising, and
networking throughout the United States. AFS has been contacted by medical facilities,
physicians, crisis centers, maternity homes, adoption agencies, social workers,
adoption attorneys and other adoption professionals in the adoption community
that know of AFS commitment and good work.
8. What if the birthmother changes her mind? If this unfortunate situation should occur,
AFS would immediately advocate on the Adoptive Parent(s) behalf to solidify another
match. AFS recommends and provides referrals to counselors for both parties
during the pregnancy to ensure that the adoption commitment is in place.
9. How long is the wait? AFS has sucessfully matched Adoptive Parent(s) to Birthmothers in
a short a time as one day, two weeks, another in a month, recently several clients have
been matched within a three month period. This is not the norm, however, AFS does not
anticipate any client waiting the two year period. Each family requirements vary, it is
difficult to pinpoint an exact waiting period.
10. Will I have to send out my own Dear Birthmother letter to maternity homes and clinics?
No. AFS will only encourage you to sit back, read adoption materials, join a parent
support group and make plans for your new arrival. AFS will do all advertising on your
behalf. In addition to its normal recruitment defined in 7. above, AFS will feature you on
its website, as you can see other families listed herein.