Adoption Coordinator Pitfalls

Retaining an experienced adoption attorney, whether or not you plan to use a facilitator or an agency, may head-off potential pitfalls before they become a problem.

In the article, Adoption Placement Coordinators, I gave a brief overview of the three basic types of adoption coordinators. I stressed the importance of checking their credibility and arming yourself with knowledge.

Additionally, I would also suggest that it may be wise to retain an adoption attorney from the start, even when using an agency or facilitator. To explain why, let me share with you the story of a family that I personally know. Like most who have struggled with infertility before choosing to adopt, they were emotionally drained and were hoping to quickly find the child of their dreams once they turned to adoption.

Within a few months, this couple did find an infant through a facilitator. The facilitator resided in one state while the birth mother resided in another state, and the adoptive parents in yet another state.

In the adoptive parents’ state of residence, it was perfectly legal to pay a portion of the birth mother’s expenses. However, in the birth mother’s state it was illegal to do this.

To make a long story short, the facilitator underhandedly padded her fees (unknown to the adoptive parents until afterward) in order to pay some post-birth expenses for the birth mother. Once attorneys were involved for finalization, the plot was discovered, thankfully, before it cost this poor family the adoption of their beautiful baby boy.

The adoption process can become very sticky when more than one state is involved because laws differ from state to state. Had they had a knowledgeable attorney from the get-go, it would have saved them money, time, and lots of headaches!

Thankfully this adoption story has a happy ending, but there are many more that do not. Be a wise consumer! Your heart and happiness is at stake.