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21 Aug, 2019 by Charles
I originally wrote a review of my experience with Mr. Wharton, but I was instructed that I couldn't write what I had written about my experience with him as a lawyer. This is my second attempt, I will state that he has a partner and a paralegal this is amazing. I would utilize them before I would utilize Mr. Wharton.
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13 Feb, 2017 by Hailey
I recently hired Chris to help me with an expungement I have been putting off due to worries about time and money. Chris's assistant helped me through each step of the process and always had everything prepped and ready for me to look over and sign when I arrived. Chris made sure I felt taken care of and was always available to answer all my questions. The office is very nice and the whole staff is very professional and efficient. I would highly recommend Chris Wharton Law to anyone in Salt Lake County or the surrounding areas looking for an affordable, high-quality lawyer.
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10 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Late, lacks communication, dresses inappropriate for court, not prepared, not familiar with the laws or proper processes.
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05 Jan, 2024 by Kathy smith
Paul is the best trust attorney I have dealt with. He is amazing. Give him a try. You won't be disappointed.
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12 Apr, 2023 by Dinah hale
25 Apr, 2022 by Mark petersen
Paul did a great job for us! Very nice guy.
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08 Jan, 2024 by Tara
Very hard to get a hold of. Went by office during business hours. Nobody was there. Don’t know what to do. Sent an email that said he’s going to take our real property. I don’t know what that means. I don’t know what to do.
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06 Jan, 2012 by Robert
Fantastic Lawyer. Made sure we were well informed and always professional and courteous. Relayed information in a way that we understood and avoided the typical rhetoric of lawyer talk. Down to earth and easy to talk to and listens well. We put our trust in Mr Burdsal and he delivered. Top of the line Lawyer and individual.
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04 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
Nathan is helping us with a case in preventing an individual from taking out bankruptcy. He has helped us in presenting a criminal action against this person. I have appreciated the ease in working with Nathan, his honesty in explaining our rights, and costs, along with letting us know he will do his best but the case will be determined upon it's merits. This helped us in deciding how much we are willing to risk. I don't want to be told you can't lose, and then find out I wasted a lot of money. He has helped us with other legal matters, and has been great.
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27 Jul, 2022 by Brian “windy” winter
Ugh 😣😫 I have a few minutes 😃😂 I have a meeting at your place 😉🐱 and your mom is it 🙂🤣 3 I will get my life in my life
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20 Aug, 2021 by Karen & elvis cabral
05 Jan, 2021 by Ralph varoz
24 Mar, 2021 by Tyson
she is dishonest she will take your money and never enter an appearance or file anything and say your retainer was spent reading the case she could not even figure out how to open a google link she made me send evrey document by email and then could not remember what is what honestly she was very personable at first but after a month with nothing and after having paid and she told me she could not appear for me i said i did not need her help and would like my money back as she had did nothing and she got very confrontational if you want to win your case i recommend do not hire her !!!
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12 Feb, 2020 by Kourtney
Frances worked aggressively for me but always made me feel at ease and was always willing to explain what was going on at anytime! She helped make my family complete and we couldn't thank her enough!
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24 Aug, 2017 by Jim
I had been falsely accused of a crime and I was working with a different attorney who was taking my case in the wrong direction. On recommendation of a friend I called Frances. She immediately recognized what had to be done and proved my innocence! Frances worked aggressively for me but was always calm, professional, courteous, and above all very caring.
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06 May, 2024 by Brysen partridge
They most biased and sexist mediator you can ever use. Fathers beware he will do anything to help the mother in any case without hesitation, which shows how this state treats and views fathers.
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19 Apr, 2024 by Jake litchfield
29 Mar, 2024 by Quanye wwest
11 Jun, 2015 by Cathy
I met with Mr. Hanks seeking assistance in obtaining alimony that my ex-husband had not paid for several months. His counsel to me was to write a letter requesting the behind payments, when I received no reply he also sent a letter of request, again no reply. This was my first insight into Mr. Hanks ethics and moral code....while he represented me in this case, he treated all involved with dignity....offering the opportunity for my ex to bring the balance due before going into court. I again was impressed with the due diligence that Mr. Hanks and his assistant performed in representing my request, at the same time conferring with my ex-husband to give him the opportunity to resolve the payment issue before going before the judge.
In all of my conversations with Mr. Hanks, I felt a genuine sense of respect , a confidence in his abilities and knowledge of my matter, and a integrity of character that is far too often missing. I would recommend James B. Hanks without any hesitation!!
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14 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
When my grandfather passed away, Mr. Hanks helped us file the appropriate documents to get my grandfather's estate out of probate. He helped us quickly and efficiently. We were so grateful for his kindness and expertise at that difficult time. He is an excellent attorney.
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19 May, 2013 by Anonymous
This was the worst experience of my life. He was over priced, having his paralegal do the majority of the work which was mostly reading over what I wrote and putting into a template (i.e. had no value). He would call me up randomly and discuss things unrelated to the case and bill me for it. He did not seem to care or put effort into my case and reviewed it on the way to court with little to say at court. If anything, he seemed to give fuel and power to the other attorney and reiterated what was already written. I was ill advised and seemed worse off having hired him.
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12 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Even though Jim could not represent me for the case I was involved in, he sat with me and answered my (million) questions and helped me make sense of all the legal speak/terms/etc. People doing things out of the goodness of their heart to help someone they don’t even know is rare these days, but that’s exactly what Jim did for me today and I appreciated it more than he’ll ever know
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13 Apr, 2017 by Joseph
I was referred to Harward through my employer's assistance program. I saw negative reviews, but calling Harward a criminal or saying a 10 year old could do better sounds like a bitter customer writing from the wrong place. Also, the assistance program referral was supposed to give me a decent discount (I can't prove $250 is decent, as I suspect their normal rate is $265. But either way, it's not lower than many other lawyers). So I continued, not knowing where else to turn.
Jim counselled me to petition to modify my divorce decree because it was a mess. This was an exaggeration (he would later focus on just one thing), but I'm glad he talked me into fighting. Considering my financial situation, Jim agreed to a low retainer and a low monthly payment.
We tried to arrange mediation, but after some back and forth, Jim determined it was not going to work and opted to go straight for the petition to modify.
When Amy sent me the first draft of the petition, it was practically useless; fixing very little of the "mess". When I asked Jim about it, he said that crafting the petition was like sculpting a statue: start with a block and refine it through several rounds (or something like that). I now think it's more likely that Amy was given the task of writing the petition without being provided the information she needed. This happened again later with the drafting of our objection to an order to show cause.
While working through the petition to modify with Amy, I often had to fix typos in and omissions from the legal document (one in particular was about my income and could have ruined the whole case).
During one meeting I called with Jim, we discovered that the opposing party had filed an order to show cause against me. Why weren't they aware of this? Why hadn't they notified me? (This happened again when I called about something else and they informed me that a court date and mediation had been scheduled - I shouldn't have to call to find out.)
We filed a counter order to show cause and I again felt that I was doing more of the work than I should have to. They provided the legal know-how, but I was the one providing the arguments and proofreading. Maybe I'm thinking of a different price bracket, but I think the lawyer should be doing that.
With the counter order and petition in place, Jim felt that the commissioner would dismiss the case in favor of mediation. With this reassurance, I forgot about it until my calendar sent a reminder the day of the hearing. I called Harward to make sure it was off and they notified me that it was not. I needed to be there.
At the hearing, Jim pulled me aside and asked if the other party had been calling the shots and I had been going along with it. It turns out this was to be his argument. In the hearing, Jim used his argument and said we just need to go to mediation. The commissioner sided with the opposing party based on an exaggerated claim that had nothing to do with the law (but at least they HAD an argument). So in that hearing, Jim and Commissioner Luhn both ignored the divorce decree and the counter order to show cause that Amy and I had worked so hard on. The counter was essentially a waste of time and money (though it shouldn't have been).
Afterward, Jim tried to convince me that we got what we wanted. We would file an objection and take it to the judge after mediation. But he didn't tell me we only had 14 days to object and the commissioner's recommendation was a COURT ORDER until a judge overturns it.
This was when I decided to end my relationship with Harward. I found that the other negative reviews were accurate. Jim's friendly and reassuring, but doesn't follow through. He exaggerates. He didn't fight for me in the hearing (despite the prep work we did). They didn't know/didn't tell me important information. Jim tries harder to work his clients than the legal system.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Bryon getchell
Zero stars. I would do negative if I could. If you want your family ripped apart, then use this guy. I had to deal with this joke for 2 solid years while he intentionally dragged out the case only to benefit himself. His clients pay a heavy cost long after he comes through your life like an immoral whirlwind. I’ve never seen someone be so unprofessional in their work EVER.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Terry massey
Not veryinformative
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17 Feb, 2024 by Nichelle hull
Brad Brotherson and his staff are amazing. I would recommend this law firm to anyone in the basin.
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21 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
One star is too many, zero should be an option. The amount of damage Tamara did to my case is unforgivable. She made glaring errors, completely forgot to file orders, would ignore emails/calls/texts for months and months on end, and gave advice that has harmed the lives of many, including children.
She made no efforts to take accountability for what she did or try and fix the damage done, withdrawing when the full scope of her mistakes became apparent. It will take years to attempt to undo what she did, and more money than I can imagine.
Tamara should not be a licensed attorney. She has been reported to the office of professional misconduct with hundreds of pages of documented evidence. I will take all necessary steps to hold her accountable for her actions so she cannot do this to another unsuspecting client.
Do not consider her in your search for an attorney if you are looking for competency and professionalism, or even just an attorney you’d like to be able to get a hold of within a month two. There are bad attorneys, then there are attorneys who will ruin your life. Tamara is the latter.
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01 Feb, 2021 by Ashley
She helped me through some incredibly hard times this last year. I have PTSD and she did everything for me concerning my ex so I didn’t even have to speak directly to him. She helped my divorce go through and made me feel incredibly comfortable the entire time. She listens attentively and was always comforting and never judgmental. I can never thank her enough for all that she has done for me and my family.
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20 Jun, 2024 by Amber
Jason has years of experience and cares a great deal about his clients. His advice is spot on. He has been a great help to me understanding the intricacies of divorce and family law.
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10 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I cannot recommend Jason Fuller to any women. He was unprofessional in many respects that there are too many to list.
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09 Nov, 2020 by Mary
Ryan did not do his homework about how to deal with DOPL. Ryan accepted payment to represent me in a case, then he did not follow any of their requirements to defend me. Advised me I did not need to go to a meeting with the board of nursing. I ended up without a job and a suspended license. He grossed his flat fee of 2500 dollars. I trusted him.
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11 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
I was charged criminally in Farmington. Ryan took the time to go through the evidence and even sent out requests for more evidence to see if the case could be argued from a different angle. I could tell that the prosecutors respected him and listened to what he had to say. Also, the Judge listened to Mr. Bushell and considered his arguments. I have been in court before and it seems that court is where Mr. Bushell excels. I would recommend him to family and friends. He was worth the money.
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15 Oct, 2024 by Emma thomas
Kim has been my lawyer for several years. He is kind compassionate and does what is best for his clients.
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20 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
A despicable excuse for an attorney. Very non-professional. Has been disbarred for stealing over 100K of his clients' money. Still steals his clients money with all the unnecessary documents he tricks his clients into filing to prolong the case by several months, even years. Lies and files false documentation. Should be disbarred again!!!
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28 May, 2020 by Anonymous
I worked with McKenzie for several months. She is nice and helpful, but i was disappointed in her grasp or recall of the details of my case. I should have recognized the signs. I corrected the details in the case many times, in fact each document sent to me for approval needed corrections. At my hearing, while the opposing counsel was dressed professionally, spoke confidently and knew all his facts, McKenzie did not meet those same standards of professionalism. In her presentation of my case she often looked up and to the right, a sign that she was trying to remember or trying to formulate what to say. She even stated some facts of the case incorrectly in front of the judge. Part of our request was allowed to go to trial (which my ex wanted completely dismissed) and part of the opposing party's request was granted. The outcome wasn't all bad, but I was disappointed in the way she represented me. I spent a lot of extra money correcting the documents over and over.
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07 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Garbage, trying to start a name for herself. She's in cohoots with the judges , especially judge boham. Do not hie her, she cares nothing besides herself, and money.
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07 May, 2022 by Jackie
Debbie was my attorney for my 1st trial. I didn't know the law like I do now. I feel ripped off by her. She forced me to settle the day if trial. The ex didn't file anything for trial, forced me to go all the way to trial, and still walked away with a settlement that Debbie wrote up that was fair for him, not me. He got half custody walking out that day with no attorney, and he filed nothing with the court for trial. She even charged me $20,000.00 and said she prepared for trial. I regret having her as my attorney. She said she would fight for me, but I felt I got the short end of the stick. I would not recommend her.
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13 Nov, 2015 by Nan
Debbie was my life saver. She came into the case after a bad attorney, and she got what I feel was a great settlement. She fights hard for you, and more importantly, she cares for her clients. She is fast to respond to calls and emails, and she was there for me at the hardest point in my life. She was firm in telling me what she believed she could get for me. She is a trustworthy attorney, and this this business- that is hard to find. She was worth every penny! I would highly recommend her for anyone going through a divorce and having custody issues.
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06 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I initially hired Katie after meeting and feeling a positive connection with her, as well as knowing she had the full backing of Rebecca Long Okura, who has a good reputation. I was in a 20 year marriage that had become controlling and quite rapidly deteriorated.
My then husband and I had made the decision in 2001 that I would stay at home with our daughter when she was born. I had no income of my own whatsoever. I had spent time helping out with my dad when he moved here to Utah in 2014, and became his main caretaker after a stroke in 2016 when I was given his power of attorney until his passing in late 2018. Our daughter graduated high school in 2019.
I was given an ultimatum and forced into being the one to file for divorce in early 2020. At the time that I hired her, I felt that Ms. McLain was really going to go to bat for me, as a 20 year unemployed, 55 year old woman, facing off against a husband who made an average of $25,000 per month and had been with the same company for 25 years, and would continue to have that earning capacity.
There are a lot of things that did not play in my favor, the pandemic being one of them, and an attorney that wasn’t aggressive and assertive enough to fight for what was really right for me is another. In the middle of April 2020 we attended 9 brutal hours of mediation and I was convinced to settle for nearly $100K less equity than what a mortgage broker’s comps placed the value of the marital home at, half the monthly alimony asked, no equity in several marital assets, no accounting for my future, my health, my children. Basically, I got hosed. My ex was having the best month of his career to date (I found out later from a co-worker) while he told the mediator that he was going to lose $150K of income in 2020 and was not made to show proof of current income. The best month of his career to date meant something like $40K. In April of 2020, mid pandemic. He had probably the best year of his life, and I paid Ms. McLain nearly $15,000 to walk away with so much less than I deserved. And now, to top it all off he just bought, in August of 2021, a nearly million dollar house without even having sold the previous one. Clearly he has had a change for the better, while less than 1 1/2 years ago he claimed he would not be able to afford to pay alimony and survive himself. I feel that if Ms. McLain had really gone to bat for me, she would have advised me to wait for mediation to take place, even though it was to the point where I just wanted it to be over. Or at least advised me to call his bluff and say I wanted to go to trial and see what might have happened. All of the hours that I spent going over finances, bank and credit card statements, etc, just for her office to charge me to go over the same things, nickel and diming me over emails and phone calls with me and his attorney, even months after the divorce was final.
I am absolutely devastated. All I want to do is get healthy and buy my own little home, start fresh, but I’m still paying medical bills from last year, and am struggling with financing because I don’t make enough. I am left feeling like I should have hired a different attorney, and maybe will have to now, even though I can’t afford to, to get what I should have gotten in the first place if Ms. McLain had lived up to what she had promised from the start.
Bottom line, I would not hire her again, and I really would not recommend her or her firm, as I was told that everything ultimately went through Ms. Long Okura, if you really need someone to fight for you. I feel like there are better attorneys and better firms out there.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
She took my money and did do any work, months and months I waited for write ups and questions DO NOT HIRE bad communication too. She would not return my calls or text
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21 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I could have written the email below. When I first hired her she was so kind and would always say god bless. After I hired her she would speak to me so rudely and treat me like an idiot for not understanding things. Like duh that’s why I hired an attorney. I wasted money and a year to get joint custody and no child support from my ex who doesn’t even see his children all because Candice didn’t file things or didn’t file things on time. She would tell me she filed things and I’d call the court and guess what they weren’t filed. She never responds to texts, emails, or phone call unless it’s to ask for more money. When we went in front of the commissioner she couldn’t even tell the commissioner how she came up with the amount she got. I sent her my ex husband’s W2s and she didn’t have them. There are so many more things that she messed up on. But I’ll leave it at that. Don’t let her niceness in the beginning and cheaper prices fool you. I wish I would have spent more money because now I have to start all over and spend more money. Good Christian people don’t do this to people let alone a widow of five children barely getting by.
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25 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
She never returned my calls, emails, or text. She wasn't prepared for court and did not read anything I sent her and yelled at me every time we spoke. But after a year I finally had to do stuff for myself and that's the only time she called to yell more and after I told her the facts and why I had to do stuff on my own she dropped me and hung up. I wasted money trying to get temporary alimony and she did not represent me and so the judge gave me the smallest amount. So please don't waste your money or time hiring her.all she likes to do is yell when you are trying to tell her what you need, and hides behind Christianity ,when she doesn't practice it at all and is just rude. So please just find any other lawyer so you can get what you need.
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07 Dec, 2020 by Rich
I'm not sure she passed the bar, perhaps she had some help (maybe cheated); point being, competence is not her specialty, and elementary understanding of constitutional tenets, forget it. If she is your public defender, represent yourself; which is to say, not much worse could transpire for you considering your luck of the draw with her appointment of counsel is fraught with deficiency.
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14 May, 2018 by Phil
I hired Lacee Whimpey to assist with an amicable divorce. Our initial meeting was productive. It took a couple of months for my wife and me to work through asset division, but when we finished this I sent this information to her (March 23). That's when she stopped communicating. She didn't read my email. Failing to receive an acknowledgement, I sent a followup email on April 2. She acknowledged she failed to read the first email, and replied "I'll be in touch" (April 3). I requested a progress update by email on April 26 but again received no response. Finally I called on May 7. She was in but would not take my call. The receptionist said she would have Lacee call me back. Two days later I sent an email indicating that she had lost my trust and requested that she restore it immediately by responding or I would need to find a new attorney. She responded by apologizing that she was too busy to assist with my case. She promptly returned the balance of my retainer.
In short, I do not question her competence. Rather, my poor review is due to complete lack of professionalism associated with failure to communicate. Divorce is painful enough, but Lacee made ours more painful by failing to respond in a professional manner during a seven week period.
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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:
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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.
