How would we go about this situation: adoption?

MELISSA	What is the baby bonus? Where do you live that you get a bonus>? Here in the US! You get a tax credit of like $10000 for adopting. Look in your local phone book for adoption attorney's. Get there fees. Being that this isn't through an agency you will save so much on fees. All you will have to pay is the attorney fees and court fees. I went through and adoption like this. We live in GA. We paid for the attorney fee was like $1500, then we paid many court fees, and newspaper ad fees to put an announcment that this child was being adopted and any so thinking father step foward etc. When all said and done we probably spent about $3500. What ever you agree between each other, would be between each other....

Wellspring	It's amazing how someone else's pregnancy is rationalized to "suit both our needs" The idea that to fulfill one's need they would go to the extreme of giving the mother bonus money meant for the baby and then to have the mother be willing to accept the money is unconscionable. The baby is nothing more than a pawn.

Honest & Sober	Private adoption in Australia is illegal. http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/IntercountryAdoption_PrivateAdoption http://www.adoptionaustralia.com.au/au-australian-adoption-agencies.html "However she wants to get the baby bonus she would get for having the baby. " Your friend woundn't meet the criteria for the baby bonus. http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/FAO/FAO1.nsf/content/payments-maternity_payment-baby_bonus_after_1jan2009.htm "How do we go about organising a lawyer for this kind of thing? I haven't been able to find any info on this so links would be very helpful thanks." Seriously? Google isn't that hard to use. Its surprising what comes up when you type in the word adoption and select pages from Australia. But, too make things really simple for you - look up "private adoption" keep the talking marks and select pages from Australia.

Adopted and searching	This ABSOLUTELY SICKENS me These types of arrangements are disgusting!

Shanny	Very carefully consider everything, if you are able to adopt her child that would be wonderful. Giving her the baby bonus and her wanting it is absolutely terrible. Explain that to this child when s/he is older. I don't know how good of friends you are with her, your friendship will most likely fizzle away after wards if you are able to adopt her baby. I considered adopting my friends baby and was even more pleased when she decided to keep her. I knew in advance that this would have ended our 14yr friendship. I have read everyone's comments and like them, suggest you seek professional advice. Contact a lawyer that specializes in adoptions and at best maybe refer to your situation has hypothetical.

cmc	What is the "baby bonus"? To find a lawyer it would help to know where you are.

AdoreHim	The money that is given is given to help the child, not fulfill the need of the mother. It seems to me she is more interested in getting money for herself then the child. If you do wind up adopting that child, the child will need to be taken care of. Remember it is the child that must come first, not the birth mother, or the adoptive mom.

Polly	Given that you are talking about the 'baby bonus' and your question comes up when I click "Australian Questions Only" I'm guessing that you are in Australia right? In Australia there is no such thing as pre-birth matching or private adoptions. It is illegal to pursue this kind of adoption (even with a lawyer) so you would not be able to make an arrangement to adopt your friends child. All adoptions are done through the Department of Community/Human Services (or similar) in each state so if your friend did decide to place her child for adoption she would need to contact them. The Baby Bonus is designed to provide for the baby so if your friend did place her child for adoption it would be at least dishonest, and probably fraudulent, to make a claim. Adoptive Parents are entitled to the Baby Bonus. Although in the past you could only claim it for a child up to 6 months old recent changes have made it possible to claim it for a child up to the age of 16. The best thing you can do for your friend right now is to support her through this time let her know you are there for her no matter what she decides.

Lori A	First off I wouldn't get my hopes up until the baby is born. She may be adamant now but it has been known to change. If she still doesn't want the baby after he/she is born fine. Second, I may be wrong but since when do women get baby bonuses for HAVING the baby? I know things have changed since my surrender, so some one please fill me in on this. It is illegal to sell a child and this might fall under that category. Be careful. Third, I see red flags with this arrangement. I just get the gut feeling that she's going to want more money down the road from you. This is not to say that she shouldn't be part of the child's life. SHE SHOULD. But some women do tend to try and milk a situation. Make sure your either okay with supporting her occasionally too or not going to have to once the adoption is final. I'm not sure I worded this properly. Just cover all the bases before adopting. If your friends and you would be willing to help her out financially anyway, that's great. I just don't want to see a child be used as a tool to extort money from anyone.

H******	The baby bonus is for the baby either for the things the baby will need or to be put into a trust fund. There is just so much wrong with this situation and I believe you may be from a Country where private adoptions are illegal too. This is a no-go.

xian	http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/qual_how_maty.htm There you go :)

stud	Go to an adoption agency and ask for advice

Ashley	This is terrible.. Well the money situation. The money is "suppose" to go towards the child's needs NOT the mothers needs.. Good on you for wanting to adopt but shame on her! This makes me sick. You just need to get Professional advice, go into a local lawyers firm or call.