Louisiana's Laws on Living Expenses
Louisiana
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: Ch. Code art. 1200; R.S.
§ 14:286
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• Reasonable medical and hospital
costs of the birth mother, including pharmaceutical, travel, or other similar
expenses
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• Living expenses of the birth
mother
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• Medical, hospital, and foster
care expenses of the child
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• Reasonable expenses for
counseling and training services
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• Attorney fees and court costs
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• Any other fees the court deems
reasonable and necessary
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: Ch. Code art. 1200
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• Payment for the birth mother's
living expenses may not extend beyond 45 days after the birth.
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• If a court determines that an
expense is unreasonable, it may order a reduction in the amount.
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: Ch. Code art.
1200; R.S. § 14:286
Except for
expenses permitted by law, the payment or receipt of anything of value for the
procurement, attempted procurement, or assistance in the procurement of a party
to an act of voluntary surrender of a child for adoption is strictly prohibited.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: Ch. Code
art. 1200; R.S. § 14:286
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• Payment of expenses may not be
made contingent on the placement of a child for adoption.
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• It is unlawful for any person
to sell or surrender a child to another person for money or anything of value.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: Ch. Code
art. 1200; R.S. § 14:286
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• An agency may charge reasonable
fees for counseling and training services to the adoptive parents.
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• Reasonable fees for home
studies or investigations are permitted.
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• Reasonable administrative
expenses, including overhead, court costs, travel costs, and attorney's fees,
also are permitted.
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: Ch. Code art.
1200; 1201
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• A preliminary estimate and
accounting of fees must be filed with the adoption petition.
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• Each petition for an agency
adoption shall be accompanied by an affidavit of accounting of all fees and
charges paid or agreed to be paid.
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• A form for the affidavit is in
Ch. Code art. 1201.
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• The final adoption decree will
not be issued until the final accounting is reviewed and approved.
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