North Dakota's Laws on Living Expenses

North Dakota 

Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: §§ 14-15-10; 14-15.1-06

 • Preplacement counseling, adoption assessment, placement of the child, foster care, other preadoption services, or legal fees that must be paid directly to the provider of the services 

• Medical expenses relating to prenatal care and the birth of the child that are not already covered by health insurance • Expenses for transportation, meals, and lodging incurred for placement of the child or in order to receive services

 • Living expenses of the birth mother that are needed to maintain an adequate standard of living, which the birth mother is unable to otherwise maintain because of loss of income resulting from the pregnancy 

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: §§ 14-15-10; 14-15.1-06

 • Payments may not extend beyond 6 weeks after delivery unless approved by the court.

 • Living expenses do not include lost wages, gifts, educational expenses, vacations, or other similar expenses. 

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 12.1-31-05

 It is unlawful to accept, offer, or agree to accept anything of value for enabling another to furnish a minor child for adoption. 

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: §§ 12.1-31-05; 14-15-10 

• It is unlawful to accept anything of value for furnishing a child for purposes of adoption.

 • Fees may not be contingent upon placement of the child for adoption. 

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: § 14-15.1-06

 Reasonable fees may be charged for professional services relating to placement, relinquishment, or other preadoption services. 

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 14-15-10

 The petitioner shall file a full accounting in a manner acceptable to the court of all disbursements made or agreed to be made related to the adoption.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

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