The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys has members throughout the U.S. and Canada who are experienced in the complexities of adoption law as well as interstate and international regulations surrounding adoption. The Academy is the largest and most accessible resource for finding an adoption attorney.

Click on Map  or underlined link for Member Directory to locate an adoption attorney.

Retaining an Attorney

 

Why Hire
an Adoption Attorney?

Adoption is a wonderful option for expanding your family, but the laws governing the process can be quite complex. Working with an expert in adoption law will help ensure that your adoption proceeds smoothly. An adoption attorney will:

bullet Provide an unbiased explanation of adoption methods and resources and help you develop a legally secure plan tailored to your needs;
bullet Explain your rights and the adoption laws in your state or refer you to adoption attorneys who practice in other states or internationally;
  
bulletAssess the risks involved, including determining what costs are legally permissible and ensuring that the birth parents’ rights are legally terminated before placement is finalized
bulletReview and negotiate adoption agency contracts to ensure that your interests are served
bulletClarify your options for post-placement arrangements, if any, with birth parent(s) and draft or review an agreement to ensure your best interests and those of the child are served.


Tips for Choosing
an Adoption Attorney

bullet Contact an attorney as early as possible in the decision-making process.
bullet Know what the attorney charges and how the fees are structured. Make sure they are affordable.
bullet Learn about the specific types of adoptions and services the attorney provides. Ask what percentage of the practice is dedicated to adoption and how many adoption proceedings the attorney has handled.
bullet Ask for references. Ask lots of questions, share your concerns and provide the attorney with all relevant documents.
bullet Choose an attorney who is experienced in the type of adoption you are considering.

The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys has members throughout the U.S. and Canada who are experts in the complexities of adoption law as well as interstate and international regulations surrounding adoption. The Academy is the largest and most accessible resource for finding an adoption attorney.

  A printable Adobe PDF Version of the above
information is available by clicking on AAAA Brochure.

For a referral or for more information about the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, please call: (202) 832-2222 or visit
 the Directory of Members on this website.

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