hiring an adoption lawyer?

Question

Hello. My husband and I have been asked to adopt a close friends younger sisters baby due this summer. She has chosen us because she can not raise another child and has known us since she was a little girl.

We live out of state from her now and although are approaching with caution we want to get the ball rolling so to speak. We already finished our homestudy because we were going to adopt through the state this year. The homestudy is good for 5 years so we are clear there. We also already had our home visit, clearances, fingerprint clearances, and home safety inspection. 

I am just trying to get a few questions answered now!

Since she is very reassuring she will be placing the newborn with us, we are looking to find a lawyer in PA where she lives.

Does anyone know on average the cost of an adoption without an agency in PA (basically just a lawyer)? 

Aside from the retainer how do you pay a lawyer? (i.e. up-front, in payments until adoption is final, over the course of payments, etc.)

If you have any additional information feel free to add and thank you!

C Wood · Accepted Answer

You need to ask a lawyer these questions.  up-front varies from one to another.  If you don't know a good adoption lawyer there, as the regulatory agency lawyers must answer to for referrals.
cw

Anonymous · Answer

Wow..i'm very much shocked by making use of all the suggestion you have recieved so a strategies. I had no thought how private adoptions have been considered. My husband and that i in simple terms observed and it became a private adoption. yet contray to what others have suggested i became no longer out finding for a sprint one. We had a mutual buddy positioned us jointly and this lady approached us approximately adopting her toddler. After a lot counseling along with her situaiton and consulting legal experts and adoption agencies we've been waiting to undertake her toddler. it fairly is an open adoption. there have been strict regulations that utilized in this occasion so a strategies as funds is going or presents. If human beings are out to undertake for themselves then they do no longer seem to be doing it for the terrific suited reasons first of all. As for myself i might desire to have little ones. I actual have 2 organic and organic little ones and this observed baby. It became out great!

karcnr · Answer

Usually they are paid by the hour, around $100-200 per hour and even higher, just depends on the lawyer.  I live in PA and am hoping to adopt so I have some knowledge about these things.
Best of luck to you.

Robin · Answer

Here are a few links that may be useful.  According to these, private adoption can cost $8,000 and up. Different attorneys may accept different payment arrangements. 

http://pennsylvania.adoption.com/articles

http://costs.adoption.com/articles/the-costs-of-adopting-a-factsheet-for-families.html

http://directory.adoption.com/domestic/Pennsylvania.html

hiring an adoption lawyer?

4 Answers