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17 Jun, 2024 by Stephanie
Family cases involving children can be emotionally charged and stressful, but Emily's calm and professional demeanor helped ease the tension and anxiety. Her attention to detail and thoroughness in preparing for court hearings and negotiations was impressive. I felt confident that Emily had my best interest at heart and was committed to achieving the best possible outcome for me and my family. I highly recommend Emily Leininger to anyone in need of legal representation in family law matters. She is a skilled and compassionate attorney who truly cares about her clients. Thank you, Emily, for your exceptional service and dedication to my case.
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24 Jun, 2022 by Candice
Emily has been nothing short of amazing, my divorce has been drawn out for multiple reasons but Emily has been nothing but understanding and always willing to help me in any way she can. I would recommend her to anyone!
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23 Jun, 2021 by Shawn
I had recently divorced and my daughter's custody arrangement was not going well. She was back and forth way too much and she wasn't happy. I wanted to go back to court for a better parenting plan but my original attorney was on a leave of absence. I spoke with several attorneys but each one of them told me "it was too soon" to go back to court. Emily took my case and in the mean time, my daughter was falling apart with the current plan. We went back to court and we are currently working on a new plan. Emily was a blessing to me and my daughter. I highly recommend her. She is a fighter and she has become a friend to us.
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14 Jun, 2024 by Lisa
Tiffany Johns did a great job with my family matters! would Highly recommend! Thank you, Tiffany!
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22 Sep, 2021 by Carie w
Tiffany went above and beyond when it came to my sons divorce and custody battle. My son gained primary custody with her help and her knowledge. We are so very thankful for everything she did and I HIGHLY recommend her as a divorce attorney. Thank you again Tiffany!!!
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21 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
Amazing lawyer. She looks out for her clients and fights to the last breath. Truly terrific and super sweet and blunt. Thank you so much Tiffany for everything you have done for me and my little girl.
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23 Jun, 2019 by David
Hard-working thorough has helped Me in the past and will work for me on my future upcoming court dates hopefully
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13 Feb, 2018 by Kenley
I was super anxious about my first real charge where I could've faced jail time and he eased my nerves drastically when explaining my options. Knowledgeable man, indeed and highly recommended.
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16 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Bell was very professional to work with. He was always responsive and thorough in communications. He worked quickly to get my case settled and I would definitely recommend him to anyone.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Charisse
If you got a week to wait for any type of response in back-and-forth communication with her, she your girl. If you're looking to be treated with any level of respect in regards to timely communication, I would look elsewhere
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12 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
The divorce process has been a new and stressful experience for me, as it also involves my children. I did my due diligence, as a first time candidate, and interviewed 3-4 attorneys to familiarize myself with the process, understand the expectations and see which attorney best met my expectations on knowledge, partnership and engagement. After meeting and speaking with Marissa on a couple of introductory/exploratory meetings, I was convinced that she will be a great lead and I can confidently state that she has been that and more. Marissa has been a sounding board and strong proponent of me throughout the process and her passion/compassion and knowledge has been on full display. I do highly recommend anyone going through such an unfortunate and stressful time to find the right legal partner - Marissa is that person!
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01 Mar, 2022 by Trey
Marissa is compassionate, vigilant, knowledgeable, and precise... I highly recommend Mrs Walters for legal representation...
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19 Nov, 2024 by Mike
Kayla was fantastic! I would describe her as: Professional, thorough, organized, empathetic, and realistic.
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02 Jul, 2024 by Bryan
From our first introductory meeting to receiving that final decree, Mrs Redmon provided sound advice. Her swift action and a tireless effort to represent my truth turned a potentially negative outcome in a multi-layered complex divorce to a positive result. Honest and transparent communication at the front-end, her strategy never wavered, but rather was supported by fact, law and a fair defense.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Barry
Mrs. Redmon is my go to attorney. She is prompt to respond. She gives excellent consultation advice. She tells you your options and if you choose another option what are your possible consequences. Always check with Mrs. Redmon if in doubt. She handled my work with total professionalism and with expedience.
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19 Apr, 2017 by Rob
Marlene Boshears is an awesome attorney. As a professional, she embodies ideal qualities. Marlene is knowledgeable, diligent, competent and advocates and communicates extremely well - everything I would want in a lawyer representing any of my interests. As a person, Marlene is kind, patient and always attempt to understand my fears and concerns. If you are looking for great legal representation, look no further than Ms. Marlene Boshears and her law firm, Boshears & Evans, PLLC.
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20 Oct, 2023 by Vicki
I had no idea what I was up against, but Diane took care of me during one of the toughest times of my life. She was professional and caring. She listened to me and my concerns and what I wanted and needed. I was blessed to have her as my lawyer through my divorce. Long Overdue...I survived and made it through because of you...thank you!
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30 Dec, 2019 by Brandi
I highly recommend Diane Crosier who represented me during divorce and post divorce. She handled emergency hearings, emergency restraining orders, mediation, and assets and liabilities professionally and knowledgeably. She answered questions quickly and thoroughly and was able to act quickly as twists and turns occurred. She helped me through a very difficult time and I truly appreciated how attentive, knowledgeable, and quick she was. Diane is very respected in the legal community and my interactions with her made it very evident why!
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15 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Diane has provided me with excellent direction and exemplary legal services on more than one occasion. She is second to none in her field. I trust her skills and advice completely and would highly recommend her! She has not only handled all my needs, she has done so with great compassion.
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31 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Promised to help with back pay from ex and never did anything he promised and double charged the agreed upon amount.
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02 Dec, 2021 by Chris
My brother and I who both live out of state needed an attorney to handle a rather complicated estate for our father and step mother in the state of Tennessee. Bobby was referred to me by a local friend in Franklin and we could not have been happier with the choice.
Bobby and his lovely mother were incredibly responsive to our needs, budget and the difficulty of having clients who reside out of state. Bobby was able to handle the matter to our ultimate satisfaction and was able to navigate successfully the complicated state of affairs our parents had left upon their passing.
Once Bobby sorted out the estates he was able to refer us to another local attorney to deal with the real estate sale portion which was also fairly complicated.
My brother and I greatly appreciated the services Bobby provided, as well as the piece of mind that this matter was being handled professionally and in a timely manner without us having to fly back and forth from out of state.
I would highly recommend this firm to anyone needing a quality lawyer with excellent values, and experience in the state of Tennessee, especially for matters in Williamson County.
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15 Jun, 2020 by Brian
Robert is an excellent lawyer and would recommend him to everyone! He is very professional but also personable. He was available any time that i needed him or had questions.
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19 Nov, 2014 by Perry
Miss Ward settled my case for pennies on the dollar. After the settlement I learned that the insurance company was authorized to pay $25,000.00 without representation and without going to court to settle the case. I know this to be true because my co worker, who was also injured, accepted the settlement and declined Miss Ward's offer to represent her.
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30 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Ashley was a great lawyer. She represented my divorce cases in div 9 and after the judge made his ruling we found a mistake that needed to be immediatedly corrected. Ashley stayed in the courthouse with me until we were able to see the judge again so that he could make the corrections on the divorce decree. I thank her for being patient, especially when one doesn't know in's & out's about the law.
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25 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Mr Miller in September 2016. He charged me a flat fee to handle my case. We went to a hearing that lasted approx 1.5 hours. He promised to file petitions before Christmas 2016. I heard again from him in February explaining that he has been sick and asking for more money to file petitions. By mid April no petitions were filed. He deserves 0 stars. Now fighting to get my money back
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Adoption Lawyer Can Do for You
An adoption lawyer specializes in navigating the legal complexities of the adoption process, ensuring that the rights of all parties involved - the adoptive parents, birth parents, and the child - are protected. They assist families through the different types of adoption, such as domestic, international, foster care, stepparent, and private adoptions. Adoption lawyers ensure that the adoption process complies with state, federal, and international laws, and handle any legal issues that may arise during the process, such as terminating parental rights, conducting home studies, and finalizing the adoption.
If you're looking to adopt or if you're a birth parent considering placing your child for adoption, an adoption lawyer can guide you through the legal requirements and ensure the process goes smoothly.
When Should I Hire an Adoption Lawyer?
You should consider hiring an adoption lawyer in the following situations:
- Private or independent adoption: If you’re adopting a child directly from the birth parents without the involvement of an adoption agency, a lawyer is essential to draft and review all legal documents, including consent forms and parental rights termination agreements.
- Foster care adoption: If you’re adopting a child from foster care, a lawyer can help navigate the legal process, ensure the child’s eligibility for adoption, and represent you in court to finalize the adoption.
- Stepparent or relative adoption: If you’re adopting a stepchild or a relative, a lawyer can assist in terminating the parental rights of the biological parent and ensure the adoption is completed legally and efficiently.
- International adoption: International adoptions are complex, involving multiple layers of laws from the U.S. and the child’s birth country. A lawyer can help navigate immigration requirements and ensure compliance with international treaties like the Hague Convention.
- Contested adoptions: If a birth parent changes their mind about the adoption or there is a dispute over parental rights, a lawyer can represent you in court and ensure that the adoption proceeds legally.
- Adoption for same-sex couples: If you're a same-sex couple looking to adopt, a lawyer can help ensure that your adoption complies with state laws and that both parents have equal legal rights to the child.
- Birth parent representation: If you’re a birth parent considering adoption, a lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected, help you understand the legal implications of terminating parental rights, and ensure that your decision is legally sound.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help avoid legal complications and ensure that the adoption is legally finalized as smoothly as possible.
What Does an Adoption Lawyer Do?
An adoption lawyer provides a variety of legal services, ensuring that the adoption process is completed in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing legal paperwork: Adoption lawyers handle all the necessary paperwork, including petitions to terminate parental rights, consent forms, and final adoption decrees. They ensure that the adoption is in line with state, federal, and international laws.
- Conducting home studies: Some adoptions require a home study to evaluate the prospective adoptive family. While a social worker usually conducts the study, a lawyer can ensure that the process complies with legal requirements and that the report is submitted correctly.
- Terminating parental rights: Lawyers assist in terminating the legal rights of the biological parents, either voluntarily through signed consent or involuntarily through court proceedings if necessary.
- Representing clients in court: Adoption lawyers represent adoptive parents, birth parents, or other parties in court hearings to finalize the adoption or resolve disputes.
- Navigating international adoption laws: For international adoptions, a lawyer helps ensure that all legal requirements, both in the U.S. and the child’s home country, are met, including securing the child’s visa and citizenship.
- Providing legal advice: Adoption lawyers guide clients through each step of the adoption process, advising them on their rights and obligations, as well as any potential legal issues that may arise.
- Drafting post-adoption agreements: In some cases, especially open adoptions, a lawyer can help draft post-adoption agreements that specify the level of contact between the adoptive and birth parents.
How Are Adoption Lawyers Paid?
Adoption lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the adoption and the time involved. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many adoption lawyers charge a flat fee for handling the entire adoption process. This is common for straightforward adoptions, such as stepparent or foster care adoptions, where the legal work is relatively predictable.
- Hourly rate: For more complex adoptions, such as contested or international adoptions, some lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: In cases where the adoption process may take longer or involve more legal work (e.g., termination of parental rights or court disputes), a lawyer may require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on the case.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront, so you understand the total cost of the adoption and any additional expenses that may arise during the process.
How Much Does an Adoption Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an adoption lawyer depends on the type of adoption and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:
- Stepparent or relative adoption: Legal fees for these types of adoptions typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on whether the adoption is contested or requires a court hearing.
- Domestic private adoption: The legal fees for a private adoption usually range from $5,000 to $10,000, including drafting documents, terminating parental rights, and finalizing the adoption in court.
- International adoption: International adoptions are generally more expensive, with legal fees ranging from $7,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the adoption and the child’s country of origin.
- Contested adoption: If the adoption is contested and involves court disputes, legal fees may range from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the length and complexity of the court proceedings.
In addition to lawyer fees, adoptive parents should also be aware of additional costs such as court filing fees, home study fees, and travel expenses (for international adoptions).
Top Questions to Ask an Adoption Lawyer
Before hiring an adoption lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the experience and knowledge to handle your case effectively. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with adoptions?
Ensure the lawyer has experience with the specific type of adoption you’re pursuing, whether it’s domestic, international, foster care, or stepparent adoption. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or hourly rate and ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in your adoption. -
What are the legal requirements for my adoption?
Ask the lawyer to explain the legal steps involved in your adoption and any specific requirements that may apply to your case, such as home studies or parental consent. -
How long will the adoption process take?
Adoption timelines can vary depending on the type of adoption, so ask the lawyer for an estimate of how long the process will take, including any potential delays. -
What are the common challenges in adoption cases?
Ask about any potential legal challenges that could arise during the adoption process and how the lawyer plans to address them. -
Will I need to go to court?
Depending on the adoption, you may need to attend court hearings. Ask the lawyer whether your presence will be required and what to expect during these hearings. -
Can you help with post-adoption issues?
Ask the lawyer if they can assist with any post-adoption issues, such as obtaining the child’s birth certificate, finalizing the child’s U.S. citizenship (for international adoptions), or drafting post-adoption contact agreements.
How to Check the Credibility of an Adoption Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable adoption lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Look for adoption experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in adoption law and have experience handling cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on adoption cases.
- Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for lawyers who are members of adoption-focused organizations like the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), which can indicate their expertise in this field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with an adoption lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Information about the child and birth parents: Provide any available information about the child you’re adopting (e.g., age, country of origin, current living situation) and the birth parents, if applicable.
- Adoption preferences: Be clear about the type of adoption you’re pursuing - whether it’s domestic, international, foster care, stepparent, or private - and discuss any preferences you have regarding the child’s age, background, or special needs.
- Legal documents (if applicable): If you’ve already begun the adoption process or have signed any agreements, bring copies of all relevant legal documents, such as consent forms or agency agreements.
- Questions about the adoption process: Prepare a list of questions about the legal steps involved in your adoption, potential timelines, and any concerns you may have about the process.
- Financial considerations: Be ready to discuss your budget for legal fees and any additional costs, such as home studies, court fees, and travel expenses (for international adoptions).
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice for your adoption journey.
