Please note:  The fees associated with each step/service are due at the time of service and must be paid prior to advancing to the next subsequent step as outlined below.

FAQ’s Concerning Fees

1. Are there any exceptions to the above fee schedule? No.

2. Are the above fees complete? The above fees may be adjusted in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as: Homestudy fees: If additional investigation is required as a result of new information that should have been relayed to the home study assessor during the normal home study process, the applicants will be charged $125.00 per hour for assessor time (including portal to portal) plus expenses (including but not copies at .10 cents a page, mileage at the standard Federal Rate per mile). Placement fee: An additional $2000.00 per child shall be charged for multiple births.

3. What are the total adoption costs? The total cost for a domestic infant, in-state adoption is generally $29,500 to $36,000+ depending on the circumstances. This could be subject to change if there are excessive hospital expenses which are not covered by the above fee schedule. For families with total household income of $65,000 and below, the fees shall be reduced as follows (this does not apply to living expenses): At or below $65,000-fees reduced by 5%; Below $60,000-fees reduced by 7.5% Please note: the fees associated with each step are due at the time of service and must be paid prior to advancing to the next subsequent step.

4. How often are the fees modified? The fees are modified as circumstances dictate. Each time the fee schedule is modified, the schedule must be forwarded to the Ohio Department of Child and Youth for review. Also, any time the fee schedule is modified, you will be notified.

5. Is it possible that fees will be raised once I have submitted an application to “Spirit of Faith Adoptions”? Yes, the fee schedule may be modified as noted above. You will be sent the new fee schedule, requesting your consent to the new fees your desire to remain on the agency’s Step 4 Matching Program.

6. If fees are increased and I choose not to consent to the new fees, will I receive a refund? No.

7. Who do I call if I have concerns about fees? Please contact the Director, or if unavailable, the Chief Executive Administrator (419-843-5355) for any such questions.

8. When will fees be due? Fees are due and payable upon completion of each step in the process as specified above, and an invoice will be sent directly to you with the option to pay electronically or to mail a check. All fees must be paid in full to the agency in order to proceed with a scheduled finalization hearing. Until all fees have been paid, monthly post placement visits will continue to be provided by Spirit of Faith Adoptions until the finalization of the adoption has occurred in a court of law.

9. What if any of the fees are refundable? No fees are refundable except: a. Any unused portion of the biological mother's living expenses. b. In the unfortunate instance when a failed adoption occurs, SOFA’s costs will be prorated to the amount of time spent in the matter, but shall in no case exceed $5,500.00 (Step 5 fee)

10. Will there be traveling expenses charged? We have SOFA team located throughout Toledo, Columbus and northeast Ohio (Akron, Cleveland, Canton and Mansfield). For foster/adoptive families who reside more than (100) miles round trip from our nearest team member and/or office location, families will be charged the federal government rate per mile above the first 100 miles for each home visit.

11. What is a “targeted” adoption? A targeted adoption consists of an adoptive family and a biological parent who already know one another prior to coming to Spirit of Faith Adoptions and request to be matched with each other and request Spirit of Faith Adoptions to provide adoption services to both parties.

Support for birth parents is allowable by law up to $6,000.00 and Spirit of Faith will work with the biological mother parent to seek out and obtain all available services and/or support from her community resources first.

The ability to pay a fee shall not influence the choice of the most appropriate family or parent(s) for a child.

This fee structure shall be applicable and non-discriminatory to all persons who have adopted through Spirit of Faith Adoptions.

Spirit of Faith Adoptions works diligently with the parties involved in every adoption to ensure that all needs are met in the most supportive and economical way. The staff makes every effort to negotiate fees with collaborating professionals whenever possible.

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