Illinois's Laws on Living Expenses

Illinois

1. • Reasonable living expenses, including lodging, clothing, and food, where need is demonstrated
2. • Reasonable and actual medical and hospital charges
3. • Reasonable attorney's fees, with permission from the court

1. • 'Reasonable living expenses' does not include lost wages, gifts, educational expenses, or other similar expenses.
2. • Payment of living expenses shall not extend beyond 30 days after the birth of the child.

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: 720 ILCS 525/1 

No person or organization, except a child welfare agency, shall request or accept any compensation for placing a child.

1. • Payment of living expenses shall not obligate birth parents to place the child for adoption.
2. • Petitioners shall have no right to seek reimbursement in the event that the birth parents choose not to place the child for adoption.

 No person shall pay or give any compensation to any person or organization for placing a child, except for a child welfare agency.

1. • Petitioners must file an accounting of all living expenses paid to the biological parents.
2. • The accounting shall include vouchers for all expenditures, receipts for all cash payments, and copies of all checks written.
3. • Each party involved must file an affidavit of all hospital and medical costs, legal and counseling fees, and other expenditures.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

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