New Jersey's Laws on Living Expenses

New Jersey

1. • Medical, hospital, counseling, and other expenses connected with the birth of the child
2. • Reasonable living expenses, including food, clothing, and shelter
3. • Attorney fees and legal costs
4. • Religious, psychological, or vocational counseling during the pregnancy
5. • If the child is from a foreign country, reasonable and customary fees and expenses of a foreign agency or attorney

Payments for expenses cannot extend beyond 4 weeks after the termination of the pregnancy, by birth or otherwise.

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 9:3-39.1(a) 

Only an approved agency or person may offer to place or materially assist in the placement of a child for adoption.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 9:3-39.1(c), (d)

1. • The decision to place a child for adoption cannot be contingent upon payment of expenses.
2. • Payments made are nonrefundable.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §§ 9:3-48; 9:3-53

1. • In a nonagency adoption, all expenses and fees for the investigation and any counseling provided shall be the responsibility of the adopting parent.
2. • The costs of all proceedings shall be borne by the petitioner.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 9:3-55

 A detailed report, signed and verified, that discloses all sums of money or other valuable consideration paid or agreed to be paid, shall be filed with the court.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

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