Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Vermont Statutes Title 15 A. Adoption Act, § 7-103. Lawful payments related to adoption

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Subject to the requirements of sections 3-702 and 3-703 of this title for an accounting and judicial approval of fees and charges related to an adoption, an adoptive parent, or a person acting on behalf of an adoptive parent, may pay the reasonable and actual fee or charge for:

(1) the services of an agency in connection with an adoption;

(2) medical, hospital, nursing, pharmaceutical, or other similar expenses incurred by a mother or her minor child in connection with prenatal care or the birth or any illness of the minor;

(3) counseling services for a parent or a minor for a reasonable time before and after the minor's placement for adoption;

(4) living expenses of a mother for a reasonable time before the birth of her child and for no more than six weeks after the birth;

(5) expenses incurred in ascertaining the information required by section 2-105 of this title;

(6) expenses incurred for legal services, court costs, and other administrative expenses connected with an adoption, including any legal services performed for a parent who consents to the adoption of a minor or relinquishes the minor to an agency;

(7) transportation for services provided under subdivision (2), (3), or (6) of this subsection;

(8) expenses incurred in obtaining a preplacement evaluation and an evaluation during the proceeding for adoption; and

(9) any other service or expense the court finds is reasonable and necessary.

(b) A parent or a guardian, a person acting on the parent's or guardian's behalf, or a provider of a service listed in subsection (a) of this section may receive or accept a payment authorized by subsection (a). The payment may not be made contingent on the placement of a minor for adoption, relinquishment of the minor, or consent to the adoption. If the adoption is not completed, a person who is authorized to make a specific payment by subsection (a) is not liable for that payment unless the person has agreed in a signed writing with a provider of a service to make the payment regardless of the outcome of the proceeding for adoption. If the adoption is not completed, an adoptive parent is liable only for agreed upon expenses which are permitted under this section and were incurred prior to the termination of the adoption process.

(c) Except for the expenses authorized by subdivisions (a)(4) and (a)(7) of this section, no payments as authorized in subsection (a) shall be paid directly to a parent without prior court approval, but instead will be paid to service providers or to an agency.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Vermont Statutes Title 15 A. Adoption Act, § 7-103. Lawful payments related to adoption - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/vt/title-15-a-adoption-act/vt-st-tit-15a-sect-7-103/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard