What Is the Role of an Adoption Attorney?
On the surface, adoption appears to be a simple process: a pregnant woman who chooses not to keep her child gives her baby to someone who wants a child to raise as their own. The laws governing adoption, however, can turn this seemingly straightforward procedure into a quagmire.
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Definition
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An adoption attorney is a lawyer who either specializes solely in adoption laws and issues or one who provides adoption support as part of his broader practice.
Tasks
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An adoption attorney assists prospective adoptive parents with their choices and options and helps them navigate the various state adoption laws. Some of the issues an adoption attorney can help prospective adoptive parents deal with include: choosing domestic or foreign adoption, whether or not to use the services of an adoption facilitator or agency, and deciding between a closed adoption or an open adoption.
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Costs
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The cost of hiring an adoption attorney will depend greatly upon the types of services the prospective parents require. In general, the fees run from $5,000 for a private domestic adoption, to $40,000 for an international adoption.
Education
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There are no explicit certifications or licenses for an adoption attorney, although there are adoption-specific courses lawyers can take to familiarize themselves with the applicable state and international laws.
Considerations
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Hiring an adoption attorney is like hiring any other professional. You should always ask for references, ask others who have been through the adoption process who they would recommend, and carefully weigh your specific needs before agreeing to any service contract.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Paul Sapiano
