Find Adoption Attorney By L.E. Terry
There are two types of adoption attorneys: those who specialize in adoption, and general practice attorneys who also handle adoption cases. The kind you choose depends on what type of adoption you pursue.
Finding an Adoption Attorney
If you work with an adoption agency, they may have an attorney who files court documents and appears at court proceedings. The cost will probably be included in the fees of the agency. If they don't have a staff attorney, they may have one they work with regularly, or they may be able to recommend one. Most general practice attorneys can perform basic adoption-related services. You can also contact your state's bar association or the American Association of Adoption Attorneys for a referral. Your best source may be other adoptive parents, who can tell you about their experiences and recommend a qualified attorney.
When you find an attorney who seems qualified, arrange a meeting, and discuss your needs and concerns with them. Also, find out more about them: their fees, the average cost of the adoptions they have handled, how much experience they have with adoption cases, and what services they provide. In some states, attorneys are only authorized to handle court proceedings, and cannot help match birth mothers with prospective adoptive parents.
The Role of an Adoption Attorney
An adoption attorney should explain the available methods of adoption, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. They should also explain the rights of both the adoptive parents and the birth parents, and help you understand the adoption laws in your state or the state in which you will be adopting. Your adoption attorney is responsible for ensuring that the birth parents' rights are terminated before the adoption is finalized; in the case of open adoption, they may match you with a birth parent and arrange meetings and correspondence between all parties. If you work with an adoption agency, the adoption attorney will also review agency contracts.
General Practice or Adoption Attorney?
Many general practice attorneys regularly serve as adoption attorneys. However, in complex cases, you may need an attorney who specializes in adoption. Adoption involves many complicated issues, such as agency versus private adoption, overseas adoption, same-sex parent adoption, and alternatives to adoption. In addition, there are specific laws governing certain types of adoption, including adoption of Native American children, or adopting a child from another state. It is important to find an attorney who can counsel you on these issues and any others that arise, and who can guide you through the entire adoption process. If you have special circumstances -- such as adopting a minority, foreign or international needs child, or same-sex parent adoption -- make sure your attorney is experienced in that kind of adoption. These cases can be more difficult, and there are more issues and regulations to be considered.
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