Adoption Laws

The question of finding the best adoption attorney is based on countless factors, most influential of which are the states adoption laws. Adoption attorneys interpret adoption laws to serve the interests of those who hire them. Choosing the best adoption attorney depends on one's personal circumstances and the adoption laws involved. Some adoption attorneys are more specialized in a certain aspect of adoption laws, such as those who specialize in private adoptions or international adoptions. The specialty of an adoption attorney is an important factor to consider when deciphering this personal question. Unlike specialized doctors, lawyers do not have special degrees that delineate their area of expertise. In fact, a lawyer's area of expertise is based off of what he or she decided to study in law school and cases that have occurred most frequently in the course of the individuals’ legal career. An adoption attorney that can best interpret the adoptions laws on the client's behalf is a personal matter; however, one can best assess the efficacy of an adoption attorney through a series of key questions that a prospective client can ask before deciding to hire an attorney.

Here are a series of important questions to ask the adoption attorney upon the first meeting:

Experience Questions

·      How long have you considered yourself an adoption attorney? 

·      How many adoptions are finalized a year? 

·      In what area of adoption law do you have the most experience? 

·      Which type of adoption do you handle the most? International adoptions, private adoptions, adoptions from the foster care system, etc.

·      What types of services do you offer? Some adoption attorneys locate the birth mother to facilitate the process.    

Financial Considerations

·      After explaining the situation, ask the adoption attorney what is the average cost of legal services?

·      What happens if the adoption falls through? 

·      May I have a copy of the contract, if I hire you?  

Other Considerations

·      Given the attorney's answer on the amount of adoptions finalized a year, it would be important to consider how often he or she would return calls.

·      Although it is not a good idea to place too much importance on emotions with respect to adoption laws, a good adoption attorney is sensitive to the emotional aspects of the practice of adoption law. It is also important to consider that the adoption laws are laws and the laws do not always work in someone’s favor. It is important to hold the attorney accountable for the extent of his or her effort in handling adoption laws in the client's favor. 

Choosing the best lawyer can be a stressful and time consuming task. However, it is an important step to finalizing an adoption.