Guide to Finding Adoption Lawyer

Adoption lawyers are unique category of lawyers because there a great number of laws surrounding adoption. And the list is constantly growing. If you’re a family looking to adopt a child, or if you’re a parent looking to put your child up for adoption, you should research and find the appropriate lawyer for your particular circumstance. Some lawyers will specialize in particular areas of adoptions, while others will try practice in the entirety of the field. There are specialized laws particular to each state and each country. There are also laws regarding international adoption, laws regarding the adoption of a stepchild, and numerous other laws that a directed towards a specific group and/or situation.

What to tell your Adoption Lawyer

It is important to tell your lawyer specifically what you’re trying to do. If you’re looking to adopt a specific child from a specific country, or if you’re looking to adopt a child that is a citizen, you need to specify what your intentions are to your lawyer. Your lawyer can then either make referrals or perform the required research he or she needs to do in order to move the adoption process along.

If you’re looking to find a specialized lawyer, there are number of options you have as a prospective parent. This site with allow you to search for lawyers and ask free questions. This site will also allow you to do individual research on adoption laws so you have a better understanding before you consult with a lawyer. Another valuable resource is the American Academy of Adoption Lawyers. The site is the largest resource for find adoption attorneys, and they have lawyers throughout the entire North American territory that specialize in interstate and international adoption policies.

What to look for in your particular Adoption Lawyer

The first signal that an adoption lawyer is right for you is if they show true and personal concern in meeting your wishes and find just the right child you are looking for. The same kind of adoption lawyers will often have personal and moving stories about the adoptions they have overseen and sometimes provide heartwarming stories of people’s lives they’ve changed. The best adoption lawyers are knowledgeable of the law, knowledgeable of your personality strengths and unique characteristics, and able to point you in the right direction. They should also be able to tell you right away if you’re able to adopt or not.

Steps for Parents

The steps toward adoption can be long and strenuous, but the outcome is always worth it. The normal age group for parents and couples to adopt is in the 25-50 age range, but there are always exceptions. A serious, committed couple should regard the following steps while thinking about adopting:

• First, learn about the process and choice you have with adoption. The National Adoption Center offers a free social network for parents thinking about adopting and for parents who have already adopted and want to help out.

• The second step involves contacting an agency in the state you reside. You have the option to contact numerous agencies and find out which one best fits your needs and is easiest to work with. You can also ask these agencies to point you in the direction of the right lawyer. Most of them are more than willing to help.

• The third step is one of the most important steps and ultimately decides whether you can adopt or not. You must complete a home study and have a social worker come to your house and evaluate your living conditions. You’re also required to undergo a federal security clearance, state security clearance, a child abuse clearance, and have their fingerprints processed. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 requires that all prospective parents wanting to adopt conform to all the above clearances. It is a good idea to have an adoption attorney at this point, but not completely necessary.

• The fourth step involves searching for a child once you have been cleared. The agency in which you’re adopting through will search according to your standards and wishes, and you can actively search as well.

• The fifth step is one of the most time consuming. Each time you find a child that you think is a good match, your agency and the child’s agency exchange data and the child’s agency will look at your home study. If they feel the child is a good match, they will contact you. It is important to know that you and several other families be working with the same child at the same time.

• The next step allows the parents looking to adopt to physically meet the child. If everything goes well, the child’s agency will file a placement date. It is during this time that you file your legal Intent to Adopt Petition. It is important to have an adoption lawyer at this point.

• The last step before the child or teenager comes to live at your home requires that you attend a court hearing so the judge can finalize the adoption. The parents will receive an updated birth certificate that lists them as the parents of the child.

It is essential that parents looking to adopt do the proper amount of research. Adoption services enjoy working with gay and lesbian families as too, and they will often search for just the right match.

Adoption Lawyer : Fees and Rates

There are approximately 30,000 adoptions in the United States every year. The average adoption costs a family $10,000 to $25,000 by the end of the process. If you are adopting a newborn, you will probably have to pay some of the mother’s medical expenses. Plan accordingly.

If you decide to adopt independently plan to spend $5,000 to $7,000 on adoption lawyer fees. Also plan to spend around $2,000 for legal representation of the birth parents. Also, plan on a huge percentage of the cumulative expenses going to travel and other associated items.

Discuss opportunities for reimbursement with your lawyer as well. Some companies offer reimbursement packages to parents who adopt.