How much should we set aside for adoption?

Well, the foster process is free. You do not have to pay for your home study or foster licensing. You would need to have furniture for the children you plan on having. If you want to foster a baby, you need a crib. You can find used furniture, car seats, clothing, just about everything on Craigslist for pretty cheap. I would say expect to pay $500 in supplies to start. You will need bottles, diapers, different size clothing since you don't know what size the child would be. I wouldn't think you would spend the whole $500 on things if you get them all used. Now is a good time to start the process. It takes about 6 months to go through the classes and home study. You don't need these things until the home study. Your tax refund should be in with just enough time to pay for everything.

In some states it cost $100 or so for court costs. That is a long way down the line and you will know ahead of time.

Adopting from foster care is usually free or real close to it (I paid $150 for each of my 3 foster care adoptions), so you won't need to have money set aside for the adoption itself. You might want to set money aside just for the normal expenses of raising a child (furniture for the bedroom, starter supply of clothes and other essentials, emergency fund, college fund, etc.).

I would say in total at least 10-15 grand. If you go to yahoo and type in State of Washington Child Services you will see all of the pics and profiles of the children who cost nothing to adopt in your state because they really need a home, and are being put through the system. Some of them have mental or physical problems of course, but it is a good thing to look at and maybe consider. God bless and Good luck!

Army wife, i could not find that information