Every adoption situation is as unique as the individuals who are involved in it. Today, those who are looking to adopt have many options available to help them in their adoption journey. For many reasons people often choose to use an adoption attorney. Here are tips to guide you in the selection process.
Reasons to Retain an Attorney
There are many reasons that people hire an attorney to adopt. One of the primary reasons is for the purpose of finalizing the adoption in accordance with the laws of the state in which they reside. Many states require that an attorney be involved in the finalization process, making it illegal to complete an adoption without one.
Many prospective adoptive parents choose to consult a lawyer who specializes in adoption law for the purposes of consultation or even to help them locate a baby for adoption. For many reasons, whether your state requires it or not, it is wise to retain an attorney who knows and is experienced in adoption law at some point in the adoption process.
How to Find a Good Attorney
There are lawyers who specialize in nearly every field imaginable: family law, bankruptcy, insurance, malpractice. Retaining a lawyer who is experienced in adoptions just makes good sense. It wouldn’t make sense to see a psychiatrist to treat an ear infection, and it makes little sense to hire an attorney who specializes in bankruptcies to finalize an adoption.
So, how does one go about finding a good adoption lawyer?
- One excellent resource is the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.
- Another way is by asking friends, family, and co-workers who they would recommend. Satisfied customers have always been the best advertising for any business; however, it is prudent to do some research and not rely solely on someone else’s advice.
- A local support group for adoptive parents is another good source for recommendations, as is a local judge who finalizes adoptions.
Questions to Ask
Once the field has been narrowed to a few names, make a list of questions to ask them. Some ideas are:
- How long have you been an adoption lawyer?
- How many adoptions do you finalize per year?
- What type of adoptions do you regularly do? Step-parent, foster child, domestic, international, each of these situations is uniquely different from the others. It could be compared to the difference between physicians. One doctor may have a general practice in which they handle a variety of medical issues like the flu, pregnancy, hypertension, and so forth. Other physicians specialize in gynecology and obstetrics, while another may further focus their practice in high-risk pregnancies.
- What services do you provide? Some attorneys will facilitate adoptions by actively working to locate birth mothers in addition to providing legal consultation.
- What are your average fees for an adoption?
- What happens if the adoption falls through?
- Ask for a copy of their contract to review.
Other Considerations
- Did the attorney return your calls promptly?
- Do you get the general feeling that he/ she is someone you can work with? Attorneys, like doctors, should have a good “bedside manner”, although it is important not to place too much emphasis on “feeling”.
Adoption is an emotional rollercoaster with no guarantees. Steer clear of an adoption attorney who promises a successful adoption. When there are human beings and emotions involved, anything can happen, and adoptions do fall through occasionally. The key here is to research, research, research.
Questions to Ask an Adoption Attorney (PDF) from The Adoption Guide written by Adoptive Families Magazine, is an excellent guide for you to print out and use when interviewing adoption attorneys.
Related Articles:
Adoption Placement Coordinators
The Financial Aspect of Adopting
