Most states have laws that detail the types of expenses an adoptive family can pay. The most common are maternity-related medical and hospital costs such as:

• Temporary living expenses of the mother during pregnancy
• Counseling fees
• Legal fees
• Travel costs, meals and lodging when necessary, foster care for the child, when necessary

In order to prevent people from “buying” babies, states usually limit these payments to “reasonable” amounts. About 21 states outlaw payment for certain expenses such as cars, vacations or permanent housing.