Adopting a child can be expensive.
Bringing a child into your home is a priceless gift.
Advocates say picking an agency within your state is a good idea, in part because it allows for the in-person interactions that can be helpful when navigating the adoption process.
If you're considering growing your family via adoption, you'll want to be as prepared as possible for what can be a complex and time-consuming (and often expensive) process.
Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia.