Adoption Wise
ADOPTION FACILITATORS IN CALIFORNIA (Continue)
Written by KS
Thursday, 23 November 2006
Page 3 of 3
A Facilitator generally charges a flat fee for the services as well as any birth mother related
expenses that are incurred on the adopting family's behalf for this adoption plan paid through
the facilitation service. This is similar to an agency fee, although in some cases an agency
fee may be less since there is no advertising involved and some funding for many agencies
comes from the state or other organizations. A Facilitator is a business entity that must be
supported by the services rendered and a reasonable fee for service and time spent in the
service of the requesting family. Attorneys who represent the party in the adoption and in
some cases also act in the role of a facilitator generally charge by the hour for services
including phone calls to all parties involved. The cost to adopt using an attorney in the role of
a facilitator as well as legal council has now become much more complex in the expenses
associated with the adoption.
Facilitators realize they are not the answer in all cases for all adoption plans however; they do
perform a much-needed service for many families with limited resources, who are unable to
use the services of an agency, and the services of an attorney/facilitator are out of the
budget. Facilitation is a reasonable alternative, and fills in were other services leave off. You
can then add the services of the other entities when and as needed. With this said, it would
be unreasonable to expect to utilize the services of a facilitator for the same money you would
have spent using an agency.
Facilitation services are not the way around your own state adoption laws. Do not think you
can use the California adoption friendly state to get around your own state laws and then
expect your state to enforce their adoption laws on a California business entity. The fees you
pay a facilitator are for the services provided and may or may not be allowed in your state.
The reasonable expenses paid to birth parents or a birth mother are separate from the
services paid for the facilitator and are not refundable through the facilitator if the adoption
fails. The allowable fees for such services or reasonable expenses also differ from state to
state. The birth parents or birth mother are not required to return your money if they change
their mind about the adoption. It is always best to know ahead of time in which state you plan
to finalize your adoption and work with an attorney from that state about any special issues
that may be part of your plan before committing to a match and making a facilitation
agreement.
If you choose to work with a facilitator, communication will be the key to success, as in any
business arrangement. At times this person may feel like your best friend or you may need to
confide special circumstances to them. First become informed and keep your expectations
reasonable. Remember though, this is a business arrangement and must be treated as such
for all parties to have a successful outcome.
Last Updated ( Monday, 27 November 2006 )
PAGE 1 - 2
<PREVIOUS NEXT>
Written by KS
Thursday, 23 November 2006
Page 3 of 3
A Facilitator generally charges a flat fee for the services as well as any birth mother related
expenses that are incurred on the adopting family's behalf for this adoption plan paid through
the facilitation service. This is similar to an agency fee, although in some cases an agency
fee may be less since there is no advertising involved and some funding for many agencies
comes from the state or other organizations. A Facilitator is a business entity that must be
supported by the services rendered and a reasonable fee for service and time spent in the
service of the requesting family. Attorneys who represent the party in the adoption and in
some cases also act in the role of a facilitator generally charge by the hour for services
including phone calls to all parties involved. The cost to adopt using an attorney in the role of
a facilitator as well as legal council has now become much more complex in the expenses
associated with the adoption.
Facilitators realize they are not the answer in all cases for all adoption plans however; they do
perform a much-needed service for many families with limited resources, who are unable to
use the services of an agency, and the services of an attorney/facilitator are out of the
budget. Facilitation is a reasonable alternative, and fills in were other services leave off. You
can then add the services of the other entities when and as needed. With this said, it would
be unreasonable to expect to utilize the services of a facilitator for the same money you would
have spent using an agency.
Facilitation services are not the way around your own state adoption laws. Do not think you
can use the California adoption friendly state to get around your own state laws and then
expect your state to enforce their adoption laws on a California business entity. The fees you
pay a facilitator are for the services provided and may or may not be allowed in your state.
The reasonable expenses paid to birth parents or a birth mother are separate from the
services paid for the facilitator and are not refundable through the facilitator if the adoption
fails. The allowable fees for such services or reasonable expenses also differ from state to
state. The birth parents or birth mother are not required to return your money if they change
their mind about the adoption. It is always best to know ahead of time in which state you plan
to finalize your adoption and work with an attorney from that state about any special issues
that may be part of your plan before committing to a match and making a facilitation
agreement.
If you choose to work with a facilitator, communication will be the key to success, as in any
business arrangement. At times this person may feel like your best friend or you may need to
confide special circumstances to them. First become informed and keep your expectations
reasonable. Remember though, this is a business arrangement and must be treated as such
for all parties to have a successful outcome.
Last Updated ( Monday, 27 November 2006 )
PAGE 1 - 2
<PREVIOUS NEXT>
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |