How to Hire an Adoption Lawyer

Adopting a child can be one of the most rewarding endeavors a couple can make in life. Adoption gives would-be parents the chance to complete their lives by raising a family and allows a child the opportunity to grow up in a healthy, nurturing environment. Because a child's life is at stake, the government has a detailed process with many safeguards to ensure the safety of the child and ensure that the adopting parents are responsible and trustworthy. To help you navigate the tricky legal process, you'll have to hire an adoption lawyer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Contact an adoption attorney as early as possible. Help avoid common pitfalls and mistakes by contracting the services of an attorney before you get too far into the adoption process.
2. Ask your adoption agency for advice on contracting an attorney. The people there will probably have contact information for many of the attorneys with whom they've worked in the past and they will be able to advise you on which lawyer might be a good fit for your situation.
3. Call your state bar association for advice on which lawyers in your area might have the best knowledge and experience to handle your adoption case.
4. Ask about fees up front. Before you agree to hire an adoption lawyer, you should know exactly how much his services will cost you. That way you'll be able to compare prices.
5. Ask about any special conditions that might make your adoption case unique. For example, the rules and procedures for an international adoption can be very different from a domestic adoption. Adopting a child with special needs might be more complicated in your state than adopting a child with no disabilities.
6. Get references from your attorney before agreeing to contract her services. Ask for contact information of other couples she's represented. Call other parents and ask questions about their levels of satisfaction.
7. Decide on issues of birth parents' rights. This can be an extremely tricky situation in an adoption, so you'll need to make sure you and your attorney are on the same page. Have your lawyer brief you on any unique laws your state may have in regards to the rights of birth parents and the adoption process.
8. Find attorneys in your state by using sites like the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• While lawyers can take courses in the basics of adoption law, there's no specific certification or accreditation necessary to handle adoption law. A general-practice attorney should have the basic knowledge to help you through the adoption process, though it wouldn't hurt to look for an attorney with some specific experience in the field.
• Shop around when seeking to hire an adoption attorney. The prices lawyers charge can be substantially different. While you don't want to skimp on legal services for a case as serious as adoption, it never hurts to save money where you can.