Haiti Update II

So, after I posted my Haiti Update, I found out that things have radically changed.  Specifically, President Martelly announced late last week that he will be signing a Presidential Order requiring the use of an agency in adopting from Haiti.

The Haitian Senate had similar legislation, but it had not passed yet, and it is unclear whether it ever will.  Part of this law also may prevent women who have never married from adopting as it would require either a divorce decree or a death certificate as a method of proving the woman was heterosexual.  If you weren't ever married, you could not adopt.

What this likely means is that I cannot proceed with the adoption without hiring an agency.  This will at least double the cost.  While it is not clear if I can continue with the adoption using an agency to do the home study and some training classes, I believe that will require more than that.  At this point, I had to have a home study for US immigration.  The orphanage/creche I was using has decided to require an agency.  When Haiti becomes Hague compliant, this will be required anyway.

So, for me, this will require a rethink of the process.  I can start working with an agency, but don't know if spending $25,000+ is a wise decision when a domestic adoption may be much less than that.  In any event, I am still on track to be a foster parent starting this fall.