Private Adoptions in Illinois

Many adoptive parents today find a birth mother on their own. Friends, coworkers, churches, social media, and simple word of mouth can all lead to a match. Sometimes the family is already working with an agency. Sometimes they have no idea where to start. Either way, private adoption brings real legal questions about matching, expenses, consents, and timing.

At Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law in Peoria, we help Illinois families and birth parents navigate private adoptions from first contact through final court approval. Our focus is to make the process clear, legal, and as calm as possible for everyone involved.

What Is a Private Adoption?

In a private (or independent) adoption, the adoptive parents and birth parents find each other without an agency doing the match. That connection might come through:

• Friends, relatives, or coworkers
• A church or community group
• Social media or a dedicated adoption profile
• A doctor, counselor, or hospital social worker
• A prior foster or caretaker relationship

Even in a private adoption, Illinois law still requires a licensed agency or approved investigator to complete a home study and a report for the court. Agencies and attorneys still play important roles. The difference is how the match starts and who controls the outreach.

How Families Find Birth Parents in Today’s World

Your adoption practice guide work describes how private adoption has shifted in the internet age. Many families now build their own online presence instead of waiting for an agency to introduce them to a birth mother. Examples include:

• A simple website sharing your story and photos
• A Facebook or Instagram page that friends can share
• Carefully targeted online ads aimed at expectant parents considering adoption

Illinois law allows adoptive parents to advertise on their own behalf. It does not allow unlicensed “facilitators” to charge money for matching birth parents and adoptive families. That line can be easy to cross without realizing it. We help families design a plan that uses modern tools while staying within Illinois law.

Understanding Adoption Services and “Facilitators”

Illinois has one of the strictest definitions of “adoption services” in the country. Only licensed child welfare agencies may charge for those services. That includes matching birth parents with adoptive parents and arranging placements for money.

Attorneys in Illinois provide legal services in adoption, but we do not charge fees for matching. Parker & Parker does not keep portfolios or act as a paid matchmaker between specific birth parents and families. We believe that:

• Families and birth parents should be free to find their own opportunities, or
• Agencies should handle matching through licensed programs

Because of our work with many agencies and our membership in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, we can still help birth parents and families find good options. We can explain which agencies are a good fit, what questions to ask, and how to avoid high-fee out-of-state services that are not registered or licensed here.

Payments and Expenses in Private Adoptions

One of the most important issues in private adoption is money. Illinois’ Adoption Compensation Act sets clear limits on what adoptive parents may pay. The goal is to allow real support for an expectant mother without turning adoption into a financial transaction.

In general, adoptive parents may help with:

• Reasonable living expenses for the expectant mother during pregnancy and shortly after birth
• Medical and hospital costs related to the pregnancy and delivery
• Counseling
• The birth mother’s own attorney fees

There are strict rules on:

• The time period during which living expenses may be paid
• The total amount that may be advanced without a court order
• What counts as a “living expense” and what does not
• The need to document and report all payments to the court

Payments that look like compensation for placing a child are illegal and can be treated as felonies. No one may demand repayment if the birth parent decides to parent instead of placing. We work closely with adoptive families to plan and track expenses so that support is kind, lawful, and fully disclosed to the judge.

Communication, Expectations, and Post-Adoption Contact

Private adoption often involves more direct communication between the adoptive family and the birth parents. That can be a gift when handled well. It can also feel overwhelming at times.

We spend time helping families and birth parents talk through questions such as:

• How often will we communicate during the pregnancy?
• What kind of contact will there be after the adoption is finalized?
• How will updates and photos be shared?
• Who should be present at the hospital?
• What should we say, and what should we avoid saying, in difficult moments?

The foundation of a strong private adoption is clear expectations and mutual respect. Our role is to make sure everyone understands the plan and feels heard before important decisions are made.

Working With Agencies in a Private Adoption

Even when the match is private, Illinois still expects agencies to do key tasks like home studies and post-placement reports. In many cases we:

• Help adoptive parents choose a licensed agency to complete the report of investigation
• Coordinate with the agency on background checks, training, and home visits
• Make sure the agency’s disclosures, fee schedules, and refund policies are clear
• Confirm that out-of-state agencies are properly registered with DCFS when needed

This partnership allows private adoptions to benefit from both the flexibility of self-matching and the safeguards of agency oversight.

Keeping Costs as Affordable as Possible

Private adoption can be costly, but careful planning helps. When we meet with you, we look for the simplest legal path that fits your situation. Whenever possible, our fees are set as a flat rate based on the complexity of your case.

If a private adoption does not go forward for reasons beyond your control, such as a change of heart by a birth parent, we adjust. Our flat fee converts to an hourly rate based only on the actual work already done, and any remaining amount is refunded. We also help you explore:

• Health insurance coverage for the child
• The federal adoption tax credit, including our annual update article on the Adoption Tax Credit 2026
• Employer-provided adoption benefits or subsidies

Our goal is to be a practical resource for your family, not just a law office that appears at the end to “do the papers.”

Support for Birth Mothers Considering Private Adoption

Birth mothers also need clear information and independent advice. We can explain:

• What your rights and choices are under Illinois law
• What expenses may be paid on your behalf
• How consents work and when they can be signed
• How to choose between private placement, agency placement, or parenting
• How to request counseling and your own attorney

While we do not keep a formal “waiting families” book, we know many agencies and networks who work with families in Illinois and across the country. We can point you toward options that respect you and your child and give you space to make a thoughtful decision.

Getting Started With a Private Adoption

Every private adoption is unique. Some families arrive with a match already in place and a scheduled delivery date. Others come with only a general hope to adopt and questions about where to begin. We are glad to meet with you at any stage.

Your first private adoption consultation is not something we bill for. We want you to leave that meeting feeling informed, safe, and treated fairly, whether you are an adoptive parent or a birth parent. Once that foundation is in place, your adoption has a much better chance of being successful.

Call 309-673-0069 or 800-672-9105, or complete our online intake form to get in touch with us about a private adoption.