Missouri's Laws on Living Expenses

Missouri

1. • Hospital, medical, or physician expenses incurred by the mother or the child
2. • Counseling services for the parent or child for a reasonable time before and after the placement for adoption
3. • Expenses incurred in having any needed assessments made
4. • Reasonable legal expenses, court costs, travel, and other administrative expenses in connection with the adoption
5. • Reasonable living expenses, including food, shelter, utilities, transportation, and clothing
6. • Any other services or items the court finds reasonably necessary

1. • Payments that the court finds unreasonable
2. • Any payment not permitted by law

It is a felony for any organization to engage in child trafficking by soliciting, offering ,or giving money for the delivery of a child for adoption.

 It is a felony to give or receive anything of value for the execution of consent to adoption, or waiver of consent for future adoption or termination of parental rights.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: § 453.070(6) 

The division of family services may be paid a reasonable fee to cover the cost of an investigation and report.

The petitioner must file with the court a signed and verified full accounting of all payments made, agreed to be made, or promised in connection with the adoption.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.