Minnesota's Laws on Living Expenses

Minnesota

1. • Reasonable counseling, medical, and legal fees, which shall be paid directly to the provider of the service
2. • Reasonable expenses for transportation, meals, and lodging incurred for placement of the child or to access permitted services
3. • Adoption services provided by an agency, that must be paid directly to the agency
4. • Reasonable living expenses due to loss of income resulting from the pregnancy

1. • Payments for living expenses shall not extend beyond 6 weeks after delivery, unless the court determines that the mother is unable to work due to physical limitations relating to the birth.
2. • 'Reasonable living expenses' does not include lost wages, gifts, educational expenses, or other similar expenses.

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 259.55 Subd. 3(b) 

A person may not give money or anything of value to the birth parent if the person is engaged or has engaged in any placement activity.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 259.55 Subd. 2, 3

1. • Reimbursement for payments for expenses is not allowed when a birth parent refuses to consent or withdraws consent to the adoption.
2. • It is unlawful to give or accept payment for the placement of a child for adoption.
3. • Payment shall not be contingent upon placement, consent, or cooperation in the completion of an adoption.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: § 317A.907 Subd. 6

1. • A licensed agency may receive payment for:
1. o Expenses related to adoptive counseling
2. o Provision of services before placement
3. o Supervision of children before legal adoption is complete
4. o Birth parent expenses
2. • Only that part of the expenses that the adoptive parent is financially able to meet may be requested.
3. • An agency may only require payment of fees in stages, as services are performed.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court The statutes do not specifically require an accounting of expenses.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

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