Best Adoption lawyers in Orange Park, FL

2 Adoption Lawyers in Orange Park, FL

experienced lawyers

Stephanie L Gurrola

165 Wells Rd Ste 408, Orange Park, FL

Adoption Family Law +2

3.4/5

3.4

10 Reviews

12 May, 2020 by Peggy

She might as well have been working for the other side. They filed objections to everything. She agreed with all their demands. She never once advocated for me. When she was retained she agreed to travel if necessary. Then refused to travel or had “other clients” on my days in court. Even with the social investigator that the other side insisted on finding in my favor, she was unable to get custody of my son. I had to now go find and start over with competent counsel, who secured alimony but could only get me 50/50 custody even after all the abuse we had been through since it had dragged out so long. Stephanie’s office couldn’t even be bothered to hurry sending my files to the new attorney. It took 4 months. Just thinking of the high price my children and I paid emotionally is heartbreaking. If you are coming from a place of domestic abuse, do not subject yourself to more suffering. Choose anybody else.

05 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous

She will tell you she can get it done, without doing her hmwk first. Take your $2G, walk right out the courtroom after hearing, with no empathy. Then turn around and have herself removed from the case, afterwards.

14 Apr, 2019 by Tammy

A wonderful attorney who really cares and looks out for her clients best interests. Her office staff are great as well. I would not hesitate to hire her again.

Amber Jill Hines

1857 Wells Rd Ste 207, Orange Park, FL

Adoption Bankruptcy Family Law +1 +4

3.4/5

3.4

5 Reviews

20 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous

This review is actually about an attorney that practices from Mr Alexander's offices, Amber J Hines. Amber represented a bankruptcy case filed 04/2018. At the very best I could say Amber represented the case adequately. I mean she was present at the meetings, but did nothing to effect the outcome of the case, good or bad. Her over lack of professionalism and due diligence were severely lacking. After all, do you want someone representing you that does the bare minimum or would you rather someone represent your case with the attention to detail you deserve? There were several instances that illustrate my disappointment with how the case was handled, but I'll just list a couple. The case had only two items of value to be accounted for, both of which were listed in the only document provided to Amber, a dissolution of marriage. However there was a "checklist " Amber provided to list assets, unfortunately, being average citizens, we didn't realize in the middle of this checklist Amber provided was a simple yes or no that would cause a list of extra problems for our case. This was, in my opinion, something that our attorney should have found through her, self described, "diligent and effective representation". She did not, and when confronted about this, Amber's reply was "well I gave you the checklist to complete, you checked the wrong box". Thank you very much, please accept this $1500 for your representation. This caused there to be yet another meeting with the trustee and an amendment having to be completed, thus throwing up a red flag to the trustee to investigate further and cause yet another meeting to occur. How did he find this "hidden" asset (worth $500 at very most and sold 18months prior to filing) but Amber did not when she was "diligently and effectively" representing the case? Her response was simple, I don't usually read through divorces". Ummm....ok. Maybe you should start, they're kind of important. Especially when it is the ONLY document to review. Amber also likes to email correspondence at close of business on a Friday. This happened multiple times. Are you trying to NOT correspond?!? One of these correspondences causes a rushed trip to the DMV to try and provide some documentation to help support the case, again after 4pm on a Friday for something that HAD to happen THAT day. Again, thanks for the heads up. Also ended up with a final invoice for $16 described as "copies and postage". I would have thought the $1500 retainer would have covered this, apparently not. Unfortunate this experience is probably the norm, but specifically concerning this attorney I'd say FAIL and to try your luck elsewhere. I will say Amber was very polite and nice, but not professional.

08 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous

I contacted Amber Hines via email and had hoped to meet for a consultation. She responded promptly and asked when was I available to meet. After giving her my availability she never replied. I emailed again. Unfortunately I never heard back from her. I was disappointed to say the least as this was my first time reaching out to a lawyer for assistance. If she was unavailable, I would think she could have at least emailed me back, followed up, and treated me as though I was a potential and meaningful client. Very unprofessional.

18 Jul, 2010 by Jacq.

Ms. Hines is a wonderful attorney who sincerely cares about your case, whether large or small. She will keep her client updated and informed on a regular basis and returns all phone calls in a timely manner. She also explains every aspect of your case with patience and understanding. A great attorney and a rare find, I recommend her highly!

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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).

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.