Did you just find out you’re unexpectedly pregnant? If so, you may be thinking about adoption, but you’re not sure you can bear the high cost of carrying a child to term. You may have wondered, “Do mothers get paid for adoption?” or, “Is putting a baby up for adoption free in Hawaii?”

Here’s what you need to know:

• Putting your baby up for adoption is always free.
• There’s a good chance you can receive adoption financial assistance in Hawaii.

However, the topic of adoption financial assistance can also be complicated. You may have many questions about financial assistance for adoption, such as:

• Is there financial assistance for adoption in Hawaii?
• Is giving up a baby for adoption free in Hawaii?
• Do adoption agencies pay birth mothers in Hawaii?
• Do adoption families house and pay you?

The most important thing you can learn in this guide is that adoption is always free for the birth mother. You’ll never have to pay to place your child in a loving adoptive home.

You should also know that if you’re considering adoption as a way of dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, you can get financial assistance for adoption. You probably have many concerns when faced with an unplanned pregnancy but learning more about adoption financial assistance in Hawaii will help you plot your path forward.

Finding an adoption agency staffed with caring professionals to advise you about adoption financial assistance is an important first step. To find adoption agencies in Hawaii, click here. For now, read the Q&A below to learn about the expense of putting a child up for adoption in Hawaii.

1. In Hawaii, is giving a baby up for adoption free?

Birth mothers pay no cost to give a baby up for adoption in Hawaii. Placing your child in an adoptive home is always free. When facing unplanned pregnancy, you likely have financial concerns related to pre-natal care and hospital delivery costs. Other costs associated with placing your baby would likely be excessive.

You can take comfort in the knowledge that almost all costs associated with pregnancy, labor, and delivery won’t be your responsibility. Those expenses can legally be paid by prospective adoptive parents through financial assistance for adoption in Hawaii.

2. Can I get money for giving my baby up for adoption in Hawaii?

Some birth mothers receive financial assistance when putting their child up for adoption. That can lead to a misconception that you can get paid to give your baby up for adoption in Hawaii. That’s not the case, however. Federal law prohibits adoption for compensation directly to birth parents.

Adoption for compensation isn’t just prohibited by state and federal law. It can also lead to criminal prosecution. When money or anything of value is offered to birth parents in return for placing a child for adoption, it’s considered human trafficking.

3. Can you get paid for adoption by adoption agencies in Hawaii?

No matter where the payment originates, receiving money for putting your baby up for adoption in Hawaii is illegal. Hawaii statutes prohibit any compensation offered by adoptive parents,  adoption agencies, or any representative of a prospective adoptive family. That applies to both monetary payments and anything else of value.

It’s wise to stay away from any agency that proposes payment outside of the recognized expenses described by state law or approved by the court. Receiving compensation for putting a baby up for adoption carries harsh consequences, so be wary of any offers that seem questionable.

While it’s true that birth mothers can’t legally get paid for adoption in Hawaii, some expenses can be paid through legal adoption financial assistance. Some adoption agencies that help with living expenses, and expenses incurred by the birth mother before, during, and immediately after the pregnancy and birth can be paid by adoptive families or adoption agencies.

4. Is there financial assistance for adoption in Hawaii for birth mothers?

Becoming unexpectedly pregnant can turn your life upside-down. That may include profound financial impacts tied to medical care, diet and nutrition, and lifestyle costs. It’s even possible that your ability to work may be impacted during your pregnancy, which can affect your financial bottom line.

Though you can’t get paid to give your baby up for adoption in Hawaii, it’s perfectly legal to get help in covering your expenses. Several kinds of adoption financial assistance in Hawaii for birth mothers are allowed under state law.

Legal adoption financial assistance can help offset the significant costs of carrying and delivering a baby. That includes living expenses and other reasonable costs related to medical care for the birth mother and baby.

Any payment for birth mothers in Hawaii must be classified into one of the following categories:

• Living expenses: In Hawaii, birth mother living expenses can be paid in most cases by the adoptive family. These expenses can include birthmother housing, food, utilities, and other expenses that the court deems necessary.
• Medical expenses: Cost of care represents a considerable burden for birth mothers. Therefore, the law provides for prospective adoptive families to pay for medical care and hospital costs for both the birth mother and baby.
• Legal expenses: The cost of legal expenses in an adoption can be a burden on birth mothers. Hawaii law allows birth parents to cover those costs.
• Adoption resources: Finding a good adoption agency is important for birth mothers. Not only do such agencies coordinate adoption opportunities, but they also offer counseling and other important resources for birth mothers. The costs of those agencies can be paid by potential adoptive families in Hawaii.
• Other expenses: Some expenses may be payable if the court deems them so.

5. Are there laws that pertain to payment of expenses to birth mothers?

Hawaii is one of only five states that doesn’t address birth mother expenses explicitly. Though some birth mother expenses such as birthmother housing can be paid legally, you should seek professional advice before accepting any payments. 

It’s important to have a licensed adoption professional on your side to ensure all assistance payments are provided in compliance with the law. While giving your baby up for adoption for money in Hawaii is not allowed, there are legal ways to get the assistance you need from potential adoptive parents who want to help.

6. Who decides how much adoption financial assistance can be provided?

Because birth mother expenses are not covered explicitly in state law, it’s up to the family courts in Hawaii to determine which birth mother expense payments are reasonably allowed. Many factors can determine what kind of and how much adoption financial assistance you may receive, such as:

• Your current standard of living
• The standard of living needed to promote the health and safety of you and your unborn child
• Any other sources of financial assistance you may be eligible to receive

Though Hawaii law provides no guidance on adoption financial assistance, the financial resources of prospective adoptive families can factor into the equation. Potential adoptive families usually have an adoption budget when beginning the process, so expenses will have to fit within that budget.

7. Are there birth mother expenses that cannot be paid by prospective adoptive parents?

Since there are no laws addressing financial assistance for adoption in Hawaii specifically, the court decides what expenses are “reasonable” and allowable. Though some expenses can be paid through adoption assistance, some payments may be considered illegal compensation for placing a baby for adoption. Speak to your adoption professional to find out more about adoption financial assistance in your situation.

8. Where do I get more information about adoption financial assistance in Hawaii?

To learn more about legal adoption financial assistance and how you can get financial help, speak with an adoption professional today. With the help of a licensed adoption agency in Hawaii, you can get a better understanding of the laws related to financial assistance for adoption. You can find an adoption agency that specializes in supporting birth mothers at this link.