Wisconsin's Laws on Living Expenses

Wisconsin

Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: § 48.913(1)

1. • Preadoptive and postadoptive counseling for the birth parents or an alleged or presumed father
2. • Maternity clothes, not to exceed a reasonable amount
3. • Local transportation expenses
4. • Medical and hospital care received by the birth mother and the child
5. • Legal services
6. • Living expenses up to $1,000 when necessary to protect the health and welfare of mother or fetus
7. • Birthing classes
8. • A gift to the mother, not to exceed $50 in value

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 48.913(1), (4)

1. • Medical and hospital care does not include lost wages or living expenses while receiving medical care.
2. • 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

1. • 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.
2. • 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

1. • Fees may be charged for services provided or investigations completed.
2. • 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.

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© 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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