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You are correct about the Native Alaskan issue. As far as money goes, where there is a will, there is a way. Many states have an adoption cost cap for adopting thru the state foster care system. If you dont use a private adoption agency then it is usually free or is directly taken out of the $10,000 tax credit. It took us about 4 years to save up but it was the best money we have ever spent. We are parent and that means the world to us. If you have not already, you should attend an adoption seminar. They are usually over a weekend.
There are all kinds of adoptive parents and I dont know what your beliefs are but I highly recommend you are upfront about them. If you dont tell the caseworker and they find out before the adoption is complete, it could be devastating. Remember, you must foster the child for at least 6 months before you can adopt in most cases. There are 2 paths to adoption thru the state. One is to foster a child and they may go back to the birth family or to go strait to the adoption side but regardless the 6 month rule usually is applied. We went the adoption route and required that it was a low to no risk adoption, meaning that all legal ties the birth family has to the child are already broken by a court of law before we would consider that child. Once I laid eyes on my child, I wanted them to be mine. But there are all kinds of adoption and what is right for us may not be right for someone else.
Feel free to PM me with questions about our adoption and I will answer any questions honestly but please remember that it is different for every person. Your states laws about foster adoption should be available thru internet sites. I spent many hours reading info on the internet, talking to caseworkers, going to classes, reading books and making lists with DH to figure out our best option. Every person and couple is different. I believe that each of us that knows we are suppose to be mothers or fathers have an option right for us.