Arizona's Laws on Living Expenses

Arizona

1. • Reasonable and necessary expenses, including medical and hospital costs for the birth mother and child
2. • Counseling fees
3. • Legal and agency fees
4. • Living expenses
5. • Any other costs the court finds reasonable and necessary

A payment exceeding $1,000 for birth mother living expenses must be approved by the court.

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 8-114(G) 

Expenses that the court finds to be unauthorized or unreasonable

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 8-114(D) 

An attorney may be paid for services in connection with an adoption, but only in such amounts as the court approves as reasonable and necessary.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 8-114(C) 

Except as provided, a person shall not be directly or indirectly compensated for giving or obtaining consent to place a child for adoption.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §§ 8-133; 12-284

1. • The division may charge fees for studying and certifying applicants, and placement supervision services.
2. • If an investigation is conducted by an officer of the court, the court may charge a reasonable fee.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 8-114(E), (H)

1. • The petitioner shall file a verified accounting of all fees, payments, or commitments of anything of value.
2. • The birth mother must submit a signed affidavit asserting she understands that payment of expenses does not obligate her to place the child for adoption.
3. • All cases shall be reviewed by the court for reasonableness and necessity of expense.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

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