Medical: range is between zero to $22,000.

• Factors that impact medical expenses

1. does the birth mother have insurance that she can and will use

2. is the birth mother eligible for Medicaid and will she apply (this can be done retroactively)

3. can you contract with hospital and obstetrician

4. how much will your own insurance cover

• Specific Services

1. Obstetrician

2. Hospital for Delivery - two parts Mother and Child

3. Pediatrician

4. Counseling

5. Lab work and special testing, including ultra sound

6. Labor coach and Lamaze classes

7. Anesthesiologist

Living Expenses: must be zero for all independent adoptions. However, you may assist a birth mother in finding a legitimate job (one that will issue a W-2 or a W-9) or assistance from charities.

Court Cost and Miscellaneous: range between $550.00 and $3,000.00

• Factors that impact on Court Costs and Miscellaneous

1. Is a private investigator needed to locate birth father?

2. Is a private investigator needed to obtain surrender from birth father?

3. Has birth mother disappeared?

4. Is there a need to publish?

• Specific Items

1. Filing Fee with Court $85.00

2. Federal Express and Courier expenses

3. Photocopying, e-mail and fax: flat rate of $100.00

4. Certified copies of final decrees: $12.00

5. Birth Certificate, Georgia is $25.00 (varies from state to state)

6. Putative Father Registry, $10.00

7. Court Report: $250.00

8. Court Reporter for execution of surrenders: $200.00

Home Study: Usually not required in Georgia. However, a Home Study is mandatory when:

1) case is a Directed Placement from an agency or

2) child is coming from another state.

• Specific Hourly Rates:

1. Attorneys: $250.00 per hour

2. Legal Assistants: $80.00 per hour (travel time is not billed)

3. Week-ends, Holidays and after hours - additional $100.00 per hour
   

• Factors that affect legal fees: Indian Child Welfare Act, multiple birth fathers, needy birth mother, high maintenance adoptive parents, Sailors & Soldiers Act, complexity of case, etc.