One of your options when facing an unexpected pregnancy is adoption, and it’s a choice many expectant women make from a place of love. If you’re considering it, you may have asked, “Can I get paid for adoption in Maryland?”
Before we address that question, we want you to know three things:
- You can get help from adoption professionals.
- You may be eligible for adoption financial assistance in Maryland.
- You’ll never pay for putting your child up for adoption.
Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland? Compensation for adoption is illegal, but you can get financial assistance for adoption. Your adoption professional can guide you to an answer to the question, “Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland?” and that’s why you need a professional on your side.
If you haven’t yet found an adoption agency, we’re here to help. Please fill out our online form to speak with someone when you’re ready. There are also answers to the question, “Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland?” below.
1. Will you be charged for putting a baby up for adoption?
No, there’s no charge for birth mothers who seek to place a child up for adoption in Maryland. Adoption is completely free for prospective birth moms. Pregnancy and child delivery costs are high, and placing the burden of additional costs for adoption on women facing unexpected pregnancies isn’t fair.
2. Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland?
Have you heard someone say that expectant birth mothers “get paid” for adoption? That’s simply not true. Adoption for compensation is against the law no matter where you are in the U.S. But in most states, prospective birth mothers can legally get financial assistance from hopeful adoptive parents when they choose adoption. Such assistance isn’t considered compensation and is completely legal.
Accepting compensation of any kind for agreeing to put a child for adoption may result in prosecution. Offering or accepting anything of value for placing their child up for adoption is strictly prohibited and may lead to charges for human trafficking.
Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland? No, but you can get assistance with paying adoption-related expenses. Hopeful adoptive families are allowed to provide financial assistance through an act of charity to help you pay the expenses associated with pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
3. Can you get paid to give a baby up for adoption in Maryland by an adoption agency?
Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland by the adoption agency you’ve chosen? The answer is no. The source of the compensation isn’t relevant because it’s still illegal to offer or accept anything of value for providing a child for adoption. This includes compensation from adoptive parents, adoption agencies, or other representatives of possible adoptive families.
Agencies or individuals that propose illegal compensation for adoption are to be avoided. Payments or enticements of any kind for placing a baby up for adoption can result in criminal prosecution for human trafficking. Therefore, it’s a good idea to steer clear of anyone or any agency offering illegal compensation.
Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland by an adoption agency? Again, the answer is no. You can’t be paid for adoption by anyone. However, you can rely on your agency to assist you in getting the help you need with pregnancy-related expenses through legal adoption financial assistance. Birth mother expenses incurred before, during, and soon after pregnancy and birth can be paid legally in Maryland.
4. What expenses are considered through birth mother adoption financial assistance?
Unplanned pregnancy often intensifies the financial stress of pregnancy for expectant women who weren’t prepared for the associated costs. Expenses for groceries, medical care, and lifestyle changes can add up quickly, and expectant mothers may also experience a limited capacity to work during pregnancy.
The answer to the question, “Can you get paid for adoption in Maryland?” is no, but you may get financial assistance that can help you pay pregnancy-related costs. The intent of legal financial assistance is to assist you with paying for pregnancy-related costs such as living expenses and healthcare costs.
Expenses that can be paid through birth mother financial assistance in Maryland include:
- Medical expenses: Prenatal and postnatal healthcare can be costly, but Maryland state law lets hopeful adoptive families help pay birth mother and baby medical care and hospital fees.
- Adoption costs: Birth mothers have a right to get resources and support through a licensed adoption agency. The law allows potential adoptive families to pay for those services.
- Living expenses: The cost of living goes up for many expectant birth moms during pregnancy, so expenses tied to birth mother housing, food, and utilities can be paid by prospective adoptive parents.
- Legal expenses: Adoption legal fees are often burdensome for expectant birth mothers. However, hopeful adoptive parents can provide relief by paying those costs for expectant birth moms as an act of charity.
It often doesn’t matter if you’re late in your pregnancy or have given birth. You may still be eligible to receive adoption financial assistance to help pay pregnancy costs. If you’re wondering, “Can I get paid for adoption in Maryland?” in those scenarios, talk to a professional for specifics since every adoption is different.
5. Do the laws in Maryland regulate adoption financial assistance payments?
Birth mother expenses are directly addressed in Maryland state law. You can get help with reasonable expenses like housing, medical costs, legal fees, adoption agency costs, and other living costs considered reasonable by the court. Maryland doesn’t specifically prohibit any expenses deemed reasonable, and Maryland does not cap financial assistance like some other states.
State laws governing adoption financial assistance differ, and that may complicate the issue. Be sure to discuss your situation with a licensed adoption professional to ensure compliance with the law. Though the answer to “Can I get paid for adoption in Maryland?” is no, legal financial assistance can be received from hopeful adoptive parents who want to help.
6. Does the court decide how much adoption financial assistance you can get?
Can you get paid to give a baby up for adoption? Once again, the answer is no, though you can get adoption financial assistance. The payments must be approved by the family court prior to finalization.
Maryland law doesn’t restrict the amount of assistance birth mothers who choose adoption can receive. But some other factors may impact the amount of adoption financial assistance you get, like:
- Your present standard of living
- The standard of living necessary to support the health and safety of you and your baby
- Sources of additional financial assistance
- The hopeful adoptive family’s adoption budget
7. Where can you look for more information on adoption financial assistance in Maryland?
Still wondering, “Can I get paid for adoption in Maryland?” That’s not uncommon, as it’s a complicated subject. If you still have lingering questions, your next step is to discuss the specifics of your situation with a professional.
Your adoption agency can get you the resources and information you need to understand the laws surrounding adoption financial assistance in Maryland. If you’re still looking for an agency, we can help. You can connect with a professional today by completing our online form.
