LEGAL FEES FOR ADOPTION IN ILLINOIS
An experienced adoption attorney who, for over 21 years, has devoted the majority of her law practice to adoption law and has completed over two thousand adoptions.
I am an adoptive parent and attorney who understands that adoption process can be an emotional time for adoptive parents and birth parents alike. At a time when both parties can be feeling especially vulnerable, I am sensitive to and familiar with the many issues and complexities inherent in adoption. As such, I make every effort to personally handle my clients' calls in a timely fashion and I am accessible to clients both during and after hours.
I am here to listen and offer support and referrals for additional resources as needed.
MY FEES
My fee structure reflects my philosophy of reducing anxiety in what can often be a time of emotional and financial vulnerability. Where possible, I prefer to bill on a flat rate basis, as opposed to an hourly basis, so that clients do not feel that every time we have a discussion or they have a question that the "meter" is running.
Additionally, if it is easier for a client to discuss their personal issues regarding their adoption plan outside of their office arena, they are encouraged to call me in the evening without worrying about extra fees for after hour calls. I DO NOT charge "Case Opening Fees" nor do I charge retainer fees for adoption cases (unless it is a private adoption or involves interstate). See below for list of legal fees and estimated court costs for different types of adoptions in Illinois.
An Adoption Tax Credit is available to adoptive parents to help offset the costs of adoption - including legal fees!
For the 2024 tax year Adoptive Families with taxable income who have modified adjusted gross incomes of up to $252,150.00. may be eligible to receive an Adoption Tax Credit of up to $16,810.00 per child! The Adoption Tax Credit completely phases out for families with modified adjusted gross incomes of $292,150.00 or more. For the 2025 tax year the Adoption Tax Credit will increase to $17,280.00 per child. For more information on how you may be able to get many of your adoption expenses reimbursed click on the Resources tab above and then TAX CREDIT button.
TAX CREDIT
1 Hour Private Consultation Fee:
$200.00 (Brief phone consultation is free)
Agency or Agency Assisted Adoption:
$1,700.00 Fee + court costs*
Independent / Private Adoption:
Hourly rate of $300.00/hour + court costs*
Related / Stepparent Adoption where biological parent consents (filed in Cook County):
$1,700.00 Fee + court costs*
Related/Stepparent Adoption (where biological parent will not consent but also does not oppose, so his rights will be terminated by default, filed in Cook County):
$1,800.00 Fee + court costs*
Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Lake County):
$1,800.00 Fee + court costs*
Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in DuPage, or Kane):
$1,800.00 Fee + court costs*
Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Kendall or McHenry County):
$1,800.00 Fee + court costs*
Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Will County):
$2,000.00 Fee + court costs*
Adult Adoption (Related or where parties have lived together for more than two years):
$575.00 Fee + court costs*
International Re-adoption:
$575.00 Fee + court costs*
International Adoption:
$750.00 Fee + court costs*
Second Parent / Co-Parent Adoption (where couple is married or joined in Civil Union prior to birth of child and there are no other parental rights to terminate):
$650.00 Fee + court costs*
Contested Adoptions:
Would involve considerably more work, and since the number of hours that would be spent on a case is too hard to predict an hourly rate of $350.00 would be charged. An individual retainer/representation agreement would need to be entered into.
EGG DONATION & SURROGACY FEE'S
For Drafting a Direct Egg Donor Agreement:
$700.00 to $800.00
For Reviewing an Egg Donor Agreement (if drafted by an experienced attorney in this field):
$550.00 - $650.00
For Drafting a Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (where the surrogate lives in Illinois is):
$2,200.00 to $2,300.00
For Reviewing a Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (where the surrogate lives in Illinois and the Agreement is drafted by an Illinois attorney who is experienced in drafting Surrogacy Agreements is):
$1,700.00 to $1,800.00
COURT COSTS IN VARIOUS COUNTIES
Below are estimates of the adoption court costs for filing in different counties. Not all of the court costs may apply to every case. The Guardian ad Litem fee is for the attorney that is appointed by the court to represent the child and is required in every case in Illinois where a minor child is being adopted. Call for a more accurate estimate.
Private adoption (non-related and non-agency cases) also have the added cost of a homestudy that would need to be completed.
Call to get an estimate of homestudy fees and what options you may have.
Adoption Court Costs for Cook County
Filing Fee .......................... $89.00
Guardian ad Litem............. $250.00
to $425.00
Finger Print Fee................. $90.00
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New IL Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $90.00
to $240.00
Service Fee ....................... $60.00
Adoption Court Costs for Kane County
Filing Fee.......................... $119.00
Guardian ad Litem ............ bill hourly
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $75.00
Service Fee ....................... $50.00
Adoption Court Costs for Lake County
Filing Fee.......................... $109.00
Guardian ad Litem ............ $250.00
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $100.00
Service Fee ....................... $50.00
Adoption Court Costs for DuPage County
Filing Fee.......................... $89.00
Guardian ad Litem ............ bill hourly
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $90.00
Service Fee ........................ $50.00
Adoption Court Costs for Kendall County
Filing Fee.......................... $89.00
Guardian ad Litem ............ $250.00+
or more
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New IL Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $50.00
Service Fee ....................... $50.00
Adoption Court Costs for McHenry County
Filing Fee.......................... $89.00
Guardian ad Litem ............ $600.00 or significantly more
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New IL Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $100.00
Service Fee ....................... $50.00
Adoption Court Costs for Will County
Filing Fee.......................... $89.00
Guardian ad Litem ............ $750.00+
or more
Putative Father Registry.... $75.00
New Birth Certificate ........ $15.00
Publication ........................ $100.00
Service Fee ....................... $50.00
All of the above court costs are estimates only. In some case the Guardian ad Litem may bill on an hourly basis. Clients should call to discuss the specifics of their case and get a more specific and detailed estimate. All court costs are the responsibility of the client(s). These rates are effective as of September, 2024. These rates may be subject to change. In addition, there may be some cases which, by the nature of the facts involved, will require extra work. In such cases, the rates may be higher.