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Best Adoption lawyers in Tennessee

377 Adoption Lawyers in Tennessee

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experienced lawyers

Leigh Taylor White

668 Colonial Road, Suite 4, Memphis, TN

Adoption Child Custody Estate Planning +2 +5

+1 (901) 302-9209

4.6/5

5.0

10 Reviews

1.0

1 Reviews

09 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous

LT and her team is the BEST! I was referred to her. I did a consultation with her. I explained my entire situation and she gave me the best advice for child support court. I hired her within a week. She is easy to get hold of and follow up with you. She is worth it and I will recommend get her 10/10.

31 Aug, 2023 by Sarah

Hire these women! You absolutely will not be disappointed. I can’t say enough about LT and Taylor. Not only did they help me get everything I needed, but they were ROCKS throughout the entire process. They answered emails promptly, they were personable, empathetic, scheduled meetings as soon as possible when I needed them, like everything about them is just perfect. They are seriously the best of the best.

22 Jun, 2022 by Francis

Leigh Taylor is excellent. Brilliant, compassionate, ethical and incredibly competent. So grateful she handled my case

Theodore Robert Kern

P.O. Box 5385, Knoxville, TN

Adoption Family Law +2

4.6/5

4.6

10 Reviews

28 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous

Mr. Kern represented me in 2021. I wanted to wait until my case was settled before speaking about my experiences, so if you have found this review too late before experiencing the same please forgive me. These are my opinions of my experiences as a client. I met with Mr. Kern and described my situation to him. He presented himself as a competent and experienced attorney with a specialty in family law. Reading through other reviews here, it appears his specialty is adoption and I'm sure he has done good work there and has helped a lot of people. He listened to my concerns and gave some feedback, and in my limited experience and knowledge it seemed like good feedback/advice at the time. I would go on to retain Mr. Kern , a mistake I would regret. It wasn't until about a month later when I noticed something was off. Mr. Kern often did not respond to questions via email. When he did respond the answers were sometimes vague or even non-answers. Having now been to a successful mediation I can confidently say the mediation with Mr. Kern was a mismanaged and mishandled disaster. Despite my pleas; from my perspective Mr. Kern did little to nothing to prepare me for mediation, did not provide useful feedback on my independent preparation for it, and otherwise did not represent me or my interests during mediation. During mediation Mr. Kern asked the mediating attorney for advice and guidance concerning the matters at hand. This is when I found out he was not as competent in this area of practice as I needed him to be, during a mediation. Mr. Kern did not advocate for me, and at some points was openly ridiculing my lack of legal knowledge in front of the mediating attorney. Please bear in mind I had begged him to prepare and educate me beforehand in the months leading up to the mediation. The mediating attorney appeared far more knowledgeable and I received my education and advice during mediation. A week after this predictable failure of a mediation, Mr. Kern contacted me to disclose he would no longer represent me as he didn't feel as though he could reach my goals. My opinion was Mr. Kern likely knew he could not reach my goals during our initial consultation months previously. From my perspective Mr. Kern knowingly accepted a retainer from me and wrote specific actions he was responsible for in a Representation Agreement (filing of contempt charges), with no intention of ever executing the agreed upon actions. I feel this way because had he intended to do what he said he would, he would have done it, and without me begging and nagging. I contacted Mr. Kern and made it clear I was not attacking him or his character as a person, but as an attorney he did not perform anywhere near to my expectations, he failed to execute the scope of our Representation Agreement, and I felt that I was entitled to be refunded some fees. His response to this was he would not be returning any fees. I have had time to think about this situation and how it could have worked out differently or had a better outcome. The only solution I could imagine working was to avoid Ted Kern. I have also had a lot of time to work on forgiveness and giving Mr. Kern the benefit of the doubt. In this situation I cannot give him the benefit of the doubt. He is a nice man and sells himself well, but he did not instill confidence in his abilities to me and did not perform to a level congruent with his hourly rate. When someone knowingly does some of the things Mr. Kern did (or failed to do), gets called out for them politely, and refuses to apologize or offer reparations for their actions we can deduce the issue may be related to issues of character versus a mistake made. My opinion I've developed is he is of poor character professionally. Be careful who you choose in custody matters, some attorneys are more engaged than others. In my case, he felt like controlled opposition and I was often in disbelief regarding his conduct.

29 Jun, 2020 by Michael

My wife and I retained Mr. Kern's services for a custody dispute involving a family member we had been caring for. He was patient with us the whole way, explaining what we could and could not expect. When the situation turned less contentious, he pivoted to help us with the (ultimately successful) adoption process. We have never once regretted our decision to hire Mr. Kern; he is a good, ethical lawyer, and we are so thankful for his services.

22 Jan, 2020 by Ember

Ted was there every step of the way during my divorce. It was an ugly and stressful divorce but I knew that any time I talked to Ted he would bring a well reasoned and patient response to all of my questions. He is a fighter and he will help you to make the best possible decisions during such challenging times. I will be retaining his services for many years to come.

Tiffany Dawn Hagar

207 University Ave., Lebanon, TN

Adoption Business Child Custody +10 +13

4.6/5

4.6

69 Reviews

03 Oct, 2024 by Mitch wernsing

Hagar and Phillips law office has represented me over and above my expectations!!! They have done such a great job at exposing the truth after false accusations were made against me! They are expedient in their response time. They don't over bill and keep detailed itemized records of your billing. You know exactly what you are paying for. They are very knowledgeable and a great crew to put your trust and faith in doing a great job for you. David Brust has been excellent through my whole process. The whole process has been exhausting! I can't imagine where I would be if I didn't retain Hagar and Phillips. Truly grateful and a blessing 🙌🏾

01 Oct, 2024 by Ashley dunn

I have used both Eric and Tiffany’s services for two different cases. They both handled my cases in a professional and compassionate manner. These attorneys will not just tell you what you want to hear. They lay it all out, the good, the bad and the ugly! So if you’re ready for some real advice and for a real attorney to represent you, they are the ones to call.

01 Oct, 2024 by Mary

Are you looking for a lawyer/firm to handle your case, well search no more Hager and Phillips attorneys at law are here to fight for you they make you feel that you are so important that your case is important. I know from first hand experience.. They are very caring the staff are so inviting as soon as you walk thur the door... Don't pass up to win your case.. Hager and Phillips Thank you For all you have done for me and me Grand children ❤️.. You will always be a 5 star to me!!!!

Michael T Hartsfield

5050 Poplar Ave Ste 1703, Memphis, TN

Adoption Business Car Accident +6 +9

4.6/5

4.6

27 Reviews

31 Jan, 2024 by Rich c.

Can’t trust a law firm whose main goal is to disrupt a mothers life and try to take her kids away or to jail due to a lying husband. Don’t trust this law firm for anything. All crooks

16 Jan, 2023 by Kelli abee

This law firm is top notch in every way! Amy Cannon has helped me many times over the years, and is an absolutely wonderful attorney and person! Her and her team are extremely professional, return calls and e-mails in a timely manner, and are always helpful and kind. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing help with child custody or support issues. She is simply the best!

03 Jan, 2023 by Steven jacobs

Amy helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I would advise anyone else going through this process to immediately contact her. Thank you Amy and bccmlaw.

Laura Diane Rogers

5050 Poplar Ave Ste 1616, Memphis, TN

Adoption Family Law +2

4.6/5

4.6

27 Reviews

31 Jan, 2024 by Rich c.

Can’t trust a law firm whose main goal is to disrupt a mothers life and try to take her kids away or to jail due to a lying husband. Don’t trust this law firm for anything. All crooks

16 Jan, 2023 by Kelli abee

03 Jan, 2023 by Steven jacobs

Amy helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I would advise anyone else going through this process to immediately contact her. Thank you Amy and bccmlaw.

Shelley Suzanne Breeding

900 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN

Adoption Appeals Business +2 +5

4.5/5

5.0

4 Reviews

4.5

243 Reviews

08 Oct, 2024 by Alecia beeler

There are no words to express how grateful I am for this wonderful group of people!!! From the first answer of the phone (Michelle) to this minute these people have gone above and beyond to help me understand the process. I have received return calls, texts, and emails after hours simply to make sure I was ok. I’m a grandparent with this issue being my first ever legal case. I haven’t been an easy client but nobody has ever made me feel like my lack of experience was a burden to them!!!! I highly recommend LaFevor and Slaughter!!! They have all been a huge blessing to me and my family!!!!

18 Sep, 2024 by Robert chesser jr.

Josh Leach is an incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable attorney who does an amazing job for his clients. I highly recommend Josh and LaFevor and Slaughter.

11 Sep, 2024 by Christian lawson

When I called to give details for a case the lady seemed so uncaring kept interrupting very rude 😒

Alan Ray Beard

501 S. German Town Rd, Chattanooga, TN

Adoption Child Custody Criminal Defense +1 +4

+1 (423) 497-3679

4.5/5

5.0

20 Reviews

4.4

119 Reviews

30 Aug, 2024 by Cariena smith

If your looking for a good attorney you have found him he has many years of experience and he is very respected man people crowd in the court room just to see him in action. My family and I are forever grateful!

29 Aug, 2024 by Mark blaylock

TERRIBLE...Absolutely do not use!!!! We used for a custody case and he lost miserably. We felt like we were stuck and allowed a lot due to false hope he continued to give as a means to keep sucking in your money. Examples: we paid retainer and never knew what it went towards. Scheduled meetings and he would be 20 min or more late for and during the private meetings we had, he would take other client phone calls and discuss their case on the phone openly with us in the room. This was taking away from our allotted time of which he as always late for. The meetings would have numerous interruptions yet would still be billed for the entire hour. There was a lot of fraudulent billing for work or services not performed. Most all scheduled court hearings, he would show up to court late. Continue to put off the court dates as a means to extract additional billed hours. Charged 8 hours full bill rate for a 15 minutes in court to schedule a new court date(never know a real reason) and then wanted to sit out on the bench outside court room and smoke while talking about motorcycles. Yet, he billed for entire day fraudulently. Yes, you will be billed for his smoke breaks! He smokes a lot. Absolutely do not use this attorney! Almost a year after the case was resolved we received an additional 2800 bill from him. When questioning it was bills for made up items like the additional time spend talking on the park bench about motorcycles while he smoked. The numerous times the called us to get information that they had been provided up front in a 3 ring binder printed off and emailed. yet since they lost it, they charged again for us obtaining it. Numerous items such as this. Never once received a statement or breakdown of anything even though it was asked for several times. I denied the 2800 additional fraudulent charges. Never heard anything for a year and a collections company called. I explained and denied the charges with them and contacted Meeks office again to dispute the charges. Again they agreed to discontinue the charges. 6 months later I was served a week before a scheduled court hearing over the charges. I contacted the courts and asked to reschedule due to preplanned work trip the week of the hearing. I was directed to reschedule with Meeks office since they requested the date and hearing. I contracted them and explained the business trip for my work and had proof of it. They gave new proposed court date and would reschedule it so we could have it heard. They did not do as we agreed and had the case heard while I was on work trip anyway getting a judgement against me due to default. This attorney is crooked and will only steal your money. As far as my case was concerned. He told of all these wonderful things he could make happen in court and when it came down to it. Absolutely, did NOT deliver on anything. Actually cost me all these wasted attorney fees on top of dragging out the case a year longer then he should have. It was a custody case and this Attorney got his Butt handed to him in court. Absolutely terrible attorney and as a business, they are liars and fraudulent in their billing. You must Have a written contract and record ever single occurrence with this legal team. Yes, its a family affair. Choose a different attorney to represent you by all means. You will be money ahead and thankful. This attorney was never prepared and was blind sided ever step of the way as a result. Which will only cost you in the end. He IS going to charge you for all his mistakes and all his breaks. You will pay for his motorcycles and his daughters working for him. Choose wisely- choose someone else. This is my experience with Mr. Meeks and his team. Hope it helps others not fall victim.

24 May, 2024 by Brooke banks

Cory Lino Ricci

Po Box 411, Columbia, TN

Adoption Child Custody Child Support +3 +6

4.5/5

5.0

22 Reviews

4.3

48 Reviews

07 Aug, 2024 by Sarah hutton

Mr. Ricci is professional, trustworthy and knowledgeable. He was just the advocate I needed in a very difficult, unwanted legal situation. I highly recommend Mr. Ricci

07 Aug, 2024 by Sarah

Mr. Ricci is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and professional. He was just the advocate I needed in a difficult, complicated divorce. I highly recommend Mr. Ricci.

01 Jul, 2024 by Hannah andrews

In one of the most scariest times of my life, Cory and his team was an absolute Godsend. When issues came up, Cory would handle it immediately. Every scenario I was a nervous wreck, but after speaking with him each time, my nerves were calmed, without fail. I walked away feeling confident and heard. They are on top of everything. Overall good and honest people. Highly recommend.

Rachel Leigh Lambert

7790 Fischer Steel Road, Suite 101, Cordova, TN

Adoption Child Custody Child Support +1 +4

4.5/5

5.0

20 Reviews

4.0

14 Reviews

13 Mar, 2024 by Tina

Rachel was helpful in answering all my questions and guiding me through my divorce. She responds quickly and knows her stuff! Rachel made the process as easy as possible!

02 Feb, 2024 by Kara governatori

I was working with an attorney that was doing nothing for me but taking my money , I called around looking to hire another attorney and found Rachel .She answered the first time I called and was happy to help and take action immediately.She was there for me throughout my 5 year custody battle . She is the best of the best and knows exactly what to do in court. She was always prepared /ready and willing to fight for me and my case.I’m so thankful for everything she did for me .

24 Jan, 2024 by Antoine

When you’re going through a tough life transition like divorce, you’d want to have a good attorney in your corner. She was patient through all my twists and turns, back and forth between my indecisiveness at times. She was very helpful throughout the entire process, and always kept me in the loop.

Emily Kathryn Stulce

800 S Gay St Ste 2001, Knoxville, TN

Adoption Estate Planning Family Law +6 +9

4.5/5

4.5

143 Reviews

11 Oct, 2024 by William coleman

A ticket I received turned out to be a Class A misdemeanor. Couldn't just pay a fine, had to appear in court. After looking up Class A misdemeanor it appeared more serious than a standard ticket, so I chose to seek legal advice. I called the Baker law firm and Mr Baker himself returned my call. I was set up with a meeting the next day and related what had happened. He felt quite certain he could get the case dismissed, possibly without a court appearance, and if that wasn't possible a short appearance in court and court costs, and the problem would be solved. Within a few hours his secretary called and informed me he had negotiated the dismissal. I did have to appear in court the next day but that went smoothly in less than a half hour. I felt like he and his staff truly cared about my problem. I give the Baker Law firm my highest recommendation. Lynn Coleman

08 Oct, 2024 by Baden friday

08 Oct, 2024 by Allen west jr

Brian Dodson Meyers

2820 Summer Oaks Drive, Bartlett, TN

Adoption Litigation Probate +3

4.5/5

4.5

104 Reviews

22 May, 2024 by Monica chin

Curt is an excellent attorney and a top-notch human being. You can trust him to treat you with honesty and integrity and provide you with excellent legal services.

20 Feb, 2024 by Hannah r

15 Nov, 2023 by Yvonne simmons

Chelsea Connor

2820 Summer Oaks Drive, Bartlett, TN

Adoption Family Law Probate +3

4.5/5

4.5

104 Reviews

22 May, 2024 by Monica chin

Curt is an excellent attorney and a top-notch human being. You can trust him to treat you with honesty and integrity and provide you with excellent legal services.

20 Feb, 2024 by Hannah r

15 Nov, 2023 by Yvonne simmons

Kevin W. Weaver

51 Germantown Ct Ste 112, Cordova, TN

Adoption Family Law Juvenile Law +3

4.5/5

4.5

11 Reviews

08 Jul, 2024 by Emily b

We had Kevin help us with adopting our sweet baby girl last year. We are military and stationed overseas and Kevin and his team made our adoption unbelievably easy. The easiest of the 3 adoptions have finalized. He was able to expedite babies birth certificate and request a court order for us to get a passport so baby girl could come back home with us in a timely manner. 5/5 recommend.

08 Jul, 2024 by Shaniqua

Definitely recommend for any type of family legal services needed. Kevin and Meredith made everything easy.

08 Jul, 2024 by Judith mclaughlin

Very knowledgeable and helpful!

Meredith Price Brasfield

51 Germantown Ct Ste 112, Cordova, TN

Adoption +1

4.5/5

4.5

11 Reviews

20 Apr, 2024 by Stacey daniels

27 Mar, 2024 by Shaniqua

Definitely recommend for any type of family legal services needed. Kevin and Meredith made everything easy.

51 E 1st St, Cookeville, TN

Adoption Elder Law Estate Planning +2 +5

4.5/5

4.5

51 Reviews

28 Aug, 2024 by Alex jackson

26 Jul, 2024 by Ava carter

26 Jul, 2024 by D daniels

Absolute best in her field. You cannot go wrong using her. Simply the best. Hartford Daniels

Amy Catherine Bates

412 Franklin St, Clarksville, TN

Adoption Child Custody Family Law +1 +4

4.4/5

4.6

10 Reviews

4.4

203 Reviews

11 Sep, 2024 by Lagena montgomery

I had the pleasure of working with Amy Bates for my family law case, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From the very beginning, Amy showed incredible professionalism and empathy, making me feel supported throughout the entire process. Her expertise and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of my case. Amy took the time to explain my options and kept me informed at every step, which greatly eased my stress during a challenging time. Thanks to her dedication and skill, the outcome was favorable, and I feel truly grateful for her help. If you need a compassionate and knowledgeable family law attorney, Amy Bates is the best one to choose.

13 Jun, 2024 by Vincent young

I have the upmost respect and confidence in Katie Klinghard no matter what the circumstances are she’s going to get you the results you need and that’s a WIN… not only she’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ attorney but she’s provides ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ professionalism….. KATIE KARES!!!!!!!!!

07 Jun, 2024 by Noufi zeph

Amy Bates is great! She has been my attorney for a few years now and I would recommend her always to anyone for anything. She helped me and my children in so many ways, a simple thank you is not enough. I will forever be grateful. Thank you Amy for all you do in this community. Nothing short of amazing! PS: The way she mopped the floor with my ex husband was outstanding! 😊

Dawn Marie Myers Fry

165 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN

Adoption +1

4.4/5

4.4

73 Reviews

26 Aug, 2024 by Caleb wyatt

09 Apr, 2024 by Donta

Horrible attorney, horrible communication, horrible defense for your freedom, just overall horrible in every category.

22 Mar, 2024 by Cremationlady 5

Great attorney have used him 3 times very easy to speak with kind understanding and a great attorney

Elizabeth Alexander Brady

140 B Court Ave, Sevierville, TN

Adoption Child Custody Child Support +1 +4

4.4/5

5.0

1 Reviews

4.4

11 Reviews

06 May, 2024 by A

Great attorney, I definitely recommend 👍

08 Mar, 2023 by Lois curry

James represented my son. My son had several felony charges and was facing serious time in prison. He worked wonders and my son now has a second chance to build a new life for himself. I would recommend Mr. Hickman to anyone in Sever county. He knows the law and works it to his clients advantage. Thank you, Mr. Hickman.

23 Jan, 2022 by Steven greenfield

Jessica Renea Simpson

145 Maple Row Blvd, Hendersonville, TN

Adoption Family Law Juvenile Law +3

4.4/5

4.4

81 Reviews

06 Aug, 2024 by Cre8tive bird

I had an emergency dealing with child custody situation Garner Law Firm jumped into action and made things work out for the best. I was very pleased with their professionalism and kindness.

02 Jul, 2024 by Leallison whittinghill

There are not enough words to describe how incredible this Law Firm is….if you are looking for more than just legal representation than you have found it! They actually care about their clients! They will fight for what’s right, best money you will ever spend!

02 Jul, 2024 by Roger r.

I highly recommend Garner Law Firm , they show impeccable attention to details and truly care about their client . Mrs. Patti would go out of her way to follow up and see to it that her client/child are of the most importance and truly care about your well being . I can’t say enough about the professionalism and care of this law firm . I would not hesitate to use this law firm’s services if ever needed again .

Heather Noel McCoy

528 Grace Ave, Sevierville, TN

Adoption Family Law Juvenile Law +2 +5

4.4/5

4.4

23 Reviews

17 Feb, 2024 by Shannon shattuck

Worth every dime will rehire if needed

08 Feb, 2024 by Delight carig

21 Oct, 2023 by Rebeccamccoy

Lee Ann Pafford Dobson

7515 Corporate Centre Drive., Germantown, TN

Adoption Child Custody Child Support +1 +4

4.3/5

3.3

3 Reviews

4.4

25 Reviews

01 Dec, 2023 by Margaret maccani

10 Nov, 2023 by Amelia carkuff

12 Oct, 2023 by David kakish

I wanted to take a moment to give a big shoutout to Tim Rainey and the fantastic team at Stanley & Rainey! Tim's dedication and expertise made our recent collaboration a breeze. If you're in need of a smooth and easy title process, I highly recommend their firm for their consistently excellent service!

Jerry Baxter Jackson III

106 E College St, Murfreesboro, TN

Adoption Appeals Business +6 +9

4.3/5

4.3

74 Reviews

23 Aug, 2024 by Menandro anciano

Best Attorney Ever….. Highly Recommended Attorney….. Even LGBTQIA+ is very Welcome to Jack Mitchell….And he will do his best to prove to everyone that your Not Guilty….Thank you so much Attorney Jack,And Attorney Emily,and to the Whole Team❤️

11 Jul, 2024 by Caleb underhill

They will take care of you!

04 Jun, 2024 by Adam shireman

Darwin and his assistant Robin stayed the course on a drawn-out estate settlement of a family member. Thank you for your professionalism and continued support!

Lacey Nicole Buchanan

106 E College St, Murfreesboro, TN

Adoption Child Custody Debt Collection +5 +8

4.3/5

4.3

74 Reviews

23 Aug, 2024 by Menandro anciano

11 Jul, 2024 by Caleb underhill

They will take care of you!

04 Jun, 2024 by Adam shireman

Darwin and his assistant Robin stayed the course on a drawn-out estate settlement of a family member. Thank you for your professionalism and continued support!

Alex Anderson Chesnut

112 S Main St, Greeneville, TN

Adoption Appeals Criminal Defense +6 +9

4.3/5

3.7

3 Reviews

4.3

36 Reviews

07 Jun, 2024 by Shanester

Alex is very knowledgeable and goes the extra mile when it counts What he thought would be resolved in 1 appearance drug out 9 months. Could always call him on personal cell phone if I had any questions or anything changed. Would definitely recommend ( but hopefully never need,)but wouldn't hesitate to retain

03 May, 2024 by Steve massengill

Alex is the epitome of not only a professional and excellent lawyer but also more importantly he's a good and honest man. I feel blessed and privileged to call him a friend!

01 May, 2024 by Michael lawrence

Best customer service ever! They made us feel comfortable and were very informative. Thanks, Chestnut Law.

Lena Ann Graves Buck

124 W Main St, Smithville, TN

Adoption Family Law Juvenile Law +1 +4

4.3/5

4.3

24 Reviews

18 Apr, 2024 by S s

I can't get anyone to call me back about my case. When i go by the office they say they will call me back or no one is there. They open my parents estate back in 2022. After I paid them they stopped communicating with me.

16 Mar, 2024 by Lisa coffee

Great job every time I need a lawyer.

19 Feb, 2024 by Louie tieman

Would not recommend them.Ì called t we ice they never returned my calls

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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.

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