When should prospective adoptive parents consult with an attorney?
Even when prospective adopting parents are working with an agency, they should consider consulting with an attorney knowledgeable in adoptions to advise them of their legal rights and the possible risks they may face in an adoption. At a minimum, an attorney must be retained to represent the adopting parents in a domestic adoption proceeding after the child has been placed. In a private adoption, an attorney should be retained as one of the first steps. As with any business relationship, adopting parents are entitled to a clear explanation of an attorney’s services and charges prior to retaining that attorney.
