Application paperwork sent in!

   I thought the paperwork for buying a house was bad, but it pales in comparison to adoption paperwork!  We start off as rather private people, but it's really hard to be private with all the information we have to share.  Knowing that it's for a reason doesn't help the bitterness we feel that anybody who has working reproductive parts can have a child without exposing their whole life story, finances, get background checks, fingerprinting, etc.  The faster we get through all the mounds of paperwork, the sooner we can be "expecting", so it's rather exciting to mail in our first packet.  Now we wait to get matched with a social-worker for our 4 homestudy appointments!
    I get asked regularly, "Why is adoption so expensive?!"  Well there are many steps to the process, but the most expensive chunk is to cover the costs of the expectant mom.  If they don't have health insurance, we pay for doctors appointments and delivery costs.  They will likely need counseling for their tough decision and they will have legal fees for their side of the adoption.  We pay for it.  Are they out of work because of the pregnancy/delivery?  Do they need maternity clothes and living expenses?  Yup, we pay.  Add to that all the agency and attorney fees for our side of things, and it adds up!  Here's a breakdown: