§60.08 Considerations in Private, Agency, and Dcyf Adoptions

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§ 60.08 CONSIDERATIONS IN PRIVATE, AGENCY, AND DCYF ADOPTIONS

Each type of adoption has its own specific considerations. Whether one type is "better" than another depends upon the facts and the parties involved. The following are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. An agency will very likely have more contacts with expectant mothers than most individuals do.
2. An agency will have trained staff to counsel all the parties.
3. In a private adoption, prospective adoptive parents may employ the services of a social worker to provide counseling.
4. An agency has legal custody of a child until the finalization hearing.
5. Although an agency "costs more" than the typical private adoption, an agency spreads out its losses. In other words, if an agency devotes time and legal resources to a birth mother who changes her mind at the last minute, all that expense is not billed against the prospective adoptive parents who were matched with her. On the other hand, if a birth mother changes her mind at the end of a private adoption process, the adoptive parents still have to pay all the legal costs incurred. The private adoption is somewhat less expensive, but higher risk.
6. A DCYF adoption is very low cost.
7. There are relatively few newborn children available for a DCYF adoption.
8. There is a great need for good adoptive homes for older

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