Adoption FAQs

Yes, there are however specific guidelines that must be followed prior to the child coming into the State in order for the adoption to go through. You need to speak to an attorney before you proceed in any way.

If you are a resident of Kentucky and wish to adopt a child then there are some basic requirements that you must meet. For example, you must be at least years 21 old. In addition, other qualifications include that you must show you are:

• Financially stable

• Able to offer a safe, secure, and healthy home

• In good mental and physical health

Factors that do not affect your ability to adopt include whether you own a home or whether you are married.

The adoption process varies on a case by case basis as the length of time to adopt a child depends on a lot of different moving factors. If you are hoping to adopt then you should be prepared for a long process.

The cost to adopt a child also varies. In general it is less expensive to adopt a child from the United States verses a child from another country. However, in general the cost of adopting a healthy infant through a private agency in the United States ranges from a few thousand dollars to $30,000+.

Yes, there are tax benefits to adopting. You will qualify for a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt an eligible child and an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance. The maximum amount is $13,570 per child.

There are different classifications of adoption which include:

1. Closed Adoption- no identifying information about the birth family is shared with the child. After the adoption is finalized then the records are sealed.

2. Open Adoption- there is some communication allowed between the birth family and the adoptive child. Typically these boundaries are set in more specific terms that both parties set.

3. Family Adoption- there are fewer restrictions than non-family adoptions