At its core, adoption is first and foremost, a legal process. In order to help navigate successfully, it is important for adoptive parents to choose an attorney that will help you navigate the ins and outs of the process. Every state has different laws and regulations for the adoption process, and therefore, it is necessary to help facilitate court sessions and legal proceedings. As a result, adoptive parents must place a lot of trust in the people that help them through this stressful process, so it is important to choose the right adoption attorney for you and your family. Below are five important things to consider before choosing your adoption attorney.
- What is an adoption attorney?
An adoption attorney is someone who handles all of the legal proceedings concerning the adoptions. An attorney will help the adoptive parents through all the court cases, as well as any of the legal documentation. Adoption attorneys may consult counselors, doctors, other caseworkers and agencies if the need arises during the adoption process.
- What are their prior work experiences and client reviews?
There are many different types of adoptions and as a result, it is important to know which type of adoption your lawyer specializes in before deciding about whether or not to use them. It is also important to consider how many adoptions they’ve worked on recently. The regulations are always changing and it is important that your attorney is up-to-date on all the current rules for your state. Reading client reviews or even being able to actually speak to past clients is important to understanding a prospective attorney and deciding if they are a good fit for you. Client testimonies are the one of the best ways to learn about your future attorney.
- What are the attorney’s fees?
An adoption can be expensive. Adoption fees are often paid in increments. Therefore, it is important to know what the fees are, when they charge it and if the cost of the attorney is in your budget.
- How many other people is the attorney working with currently?
It is important to know exactly what your prospective attorney is working with. If your attorney has a lot of clients, then it is most likely that it will be harder to communicate and schedule, and it may be harder to speak to your attorney.
- How do you feel after talking with your prospective attorney?
This is the most important part of deciding on your attorney. Even if the attorney fits all of the above requirements, it is important to listen to your feelings. If something seems not right for whatever reason, it is important to listen to your gut because trust in your attorney is incredibly important for a positive experience.
Ultimately, it is important to choose the right adoption attorney for your family. There are many questions you must ask yourself before making this decision. It is important to contact other adoptive parents and even reach out to the local Bar Association to gain the appropriate resources. Picking an attorney is the first step to ensuring a successful adoption.
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References:
Choosing an adoption attorney, (2019, April 9). Retrieved 2016, from https://affcny.org/adoption/legal-issues/choosing-an-attorney/.
5 Things to know before you choose an adoption attorney. (2019). Retrieved April 9, 2019, from https://adoptionnetwork.com/5-things-to-know-before-you-choose-an-adoption-attorney.
Julianna McKenna is a college student at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana double majoring in English Writing and Psychology. She is passionate about adoption and foster care and is considering a career in adoption law or counseling. In January 2019, Julianna became an intern for Adoption Choices of Kansas, Inc. She is incredibly dedicated to promoting children’s rights and is excited to research and advocate for children.