Can You Get Paid to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in New Mexico?

Putting a child up for adoption is one of your options for moving forward when dealing with unexpected pregnancy. Have you considered it? If so, you may have wondered, “Can I get paid for adoption in New Mexico?”

Below, we’ll discuss the issue in more detail. But first, we want you to know three things:

Can you get paid for adoption in New Mexico? No, but there is financial assistance for adoption. Your adoption professional can help you answer the question, “Can you get paid for adoption in New Mexico?” so please consult with one. If you haven’t yet found an adoption agency, please complete our online form to connect with a professional when you’re ready. Now, read on below to learn more.

1. What is the Cost to Put My Baby Up for Adoption?

There is no charge for placing your baby for adoption in New Mexico. It’s totally free, and women facing unplanned pregnancy have a right to choose adoption at no expense. Pregnancy and child delivery carry a high cost as it is, so piling on additional expenses for adoption would be unfair and unethical.

2. Can You Get Paid for Adoption in New Mexico?

Though some people believe pregnant women “get paid” for adoption, that’s not true. Adoption for compensation is illegal across the U.S. However, many states let potential adoptive parents pay pregnancy and delivery costs for pregnant women through adoption financial assistance. Adoption financial assistance isn’t considered compensation because it’s a charitable act.

Compensation offered or accepted for placing a child for adoption may result in prosecution under human trafficking laws. Illegal payment for adoption doesn’t just include cash. It can be anything of value offered or accepted in exchange for putting a child up for adoption.

Can you get paid for adoption in New Mexico? No, but you can get legal assistance for adoption-related expenses. That financial assistance must be given charitably by hopeful parents to pay pregnancy, labor, and delivery costs.

3. Can You Get Paid to Give a Baby Up for adoption in New Mexico by an adoption agency?

Can you get paid for adoption in New Mexico through an adoption agency? It doesn’t matter whether an individual or agency offers prohibited payments for putting a child up for adoption. It’s illegal in either case. That includes any form of compensation from potential adoptive parents, adoption agencies, or other representatives of prospective adoptive families.

You’d be well served to avoid agencies or individuals that propose illegal compensation for adoption. It’s prohibited by law and may lead to prosecution for human trafficking. Stay away from anyone or any agency that offers such payments for adoption.

Can you get paid for adoption in New Mexico by an adoption agency? No, but your agency can help you get the financial help you deserve to pay pregnancy-related expenses. Birth mother expenses incurred before, during, and soon after pregnancy and birth can be paid through financial assistance in New Mexico.

4. What Expenses are Eligible for Payment Through Adoption Financial Assistance?

An unexpected pregnancy is often the cause of significant financial anxiety for pregnant women who never planned for it. The increased cost of groceries, healthcare, and lifestyle adjustments can add up, and the resulting financial stress may be complicated by a limited capacity to work during pregnancy.  

Can you get paid for adoption in New Mexico? Again, the answer is no. But you can get financial assistance to use in paying pregnancy-related costs. It can help pay costs for things like living expenses and healthcare fees. Costs that can be paid through birth mother financial assistance include:

  • Travel Costs: Even local travel costs can be burdensome, so prospective adoptive parents can help expectant birth mothers pay for travel to medical and legal appointments.
  • Medical expenses: Healthcare during pregnancy is expensive, so New Mexico lets hopeful adoptive families pay medical care and hospital fees for pregnant women and their babies.
  • Adoption costs: Women who are pregnant have a right to professional support from a licensed adoption agency. Adoptive families are allowed to pay for those services to help pregnant women.
  • Living expenses: During pregnancy, living expenses increase for pregnant women. Therefore, expenses related to housing, food, and utilities can be paid by hopeful adoptive parents.
  • Legal costs: Adoption legal services are often costly, and that could be a problem for some pregnant women. Fortunately, hopeful adoptive parents can cover those costs as an act of charity.

If you’re in the late stages of pregnancy or have already given birth, you may still be eligible for adoption financial assistance. If you’re wondering, “Can I get paid for adoption in New Mexico?” in those situations, speak to a professional to learn about your options.

5. Does New Mexico Regulate Adoption Financial Assistance Payments?

Birth mother expenses are specifically addressed in New Mexico state law. Reasonable expenses like housing, transportation costs, medical costs, legal fees, adoption agency costs, and other living costs the court deems reasonable can be paid to pregnant women through adoption financial assistance. A detailed accounting of the expenses paid must be maintained and filed with the court prior to adoption finalization.

It’s always wise to consult a licensed adoption professional about adoption financial assistance to ensure you’re complying with state law. Though the answer to “Can I get paid for adoption in New Mexico?” is no, you can get legal financial assistance from hopeful adoptive parents who want to help.

6. What Factors Influence How Much Adoption Financial Assistance Pregnant Women Get?

Can you get paid to give a baby up for adoption in New Mexico? No, although there is financial assistance available in many cases. Though there’s no limit for birth mother financial assistance in New Mexico, some other factors can impact the amount of adoption financial assistance you receive, like:  

  • Your pre-pregnancy standard of living
  • The standard of living required for the health of you and your baby
  • The number of dependents under your care
  • Other additional sources of financial assistance  
  • The prospective adoptive family’s adoption budget

7. Where Can You Find More Info About Adoption Financial Assistance in New Mexico?

If you still aren’t sure how to answer the question, “Can I get paid for adoption in New Mexico?” then it’s time to talk to a professional about your unanswered questions. Your adoption agency will guide you to the answers you need and help you navigate the laws around adoption financial assistance in New Mexico.

If you don’t have an agency, you can connect with a professional today by completing our online form.

About the Author

Lindsay Arielle has been a proud birth mother since placing her son for adoption in 2011. Her post-placement agreement has always been an open adoption. She loves the time she gets to spend with her son and his parents during visits. Lindsay truly believes that for herself and her family, adoption has been a blessing, and she enjoys writing about spiritual healing for birth mothers.

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