Wisconsin's Laws on Living Expenses
Wisconsin
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: § 48.913(1)
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• Preadoptive and postadoptive
counseling for the birth parents or an alleged or presumed father
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• Maternity clothes, not to
exceed a reasonable amount
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• Local transportation expenses
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• Medical and hospital care
received by the birth mother and the child
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• Legal services
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• Living expenses up to $1,000
when necessary to protect the health and welfare of mother or fetus
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• Birthing classes
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• A gift to the mother, not to
exceed $50 in value
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 48.913(1), (4)
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• Medical and hospital care does
not include lost wages or living expenses while receiving medical care.
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• Any payments other than those
specifically authorized by statute are prohibited.
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 948.24
It is illegal
for a person to offer anything of value to solicit, negotiate, or arrange the
placement of a child for adoption, except under § 48.833.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: §§ 948.24;
48.837
- • It is unlawful to place or agree to place a child for anything other
than the actual cost of the items authorized in § 48.913.
- • Making any payment to a birth parent conditional upon the surrender of
the child is considered coercion and grounds to dismiss the petition to
adopt.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §§
48.913(1); 48.838
- • Fees may be charged for services provided or investigations completed.
- • The department may charge a fee of $75 to review foreign adoption
documents and provide the certification and approval required by State and
Federal law.
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 48.913(6),
(7)
A report shall be submitted to the court at the time of the
hearing that provides a list of all transfers of value made or agreed to be made
to the birth parents or any other person in connection with the adoption.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. If you would like to contact the NAIC, you can email them at naic@caliber.com.
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