Adoption is a legal matter, so you should have a lawyer to make sure that all the details are handled correctly under the law. But how do you find an adoption lawyer? Many people ask friends and family for referral for lawyers, and that can work well when you need a general practice attorney or even a family law attorney. But the simple truth is that fewer people you know will already have worked with an adoption lawyer. And an adoption lawyer is what you actually need for an adoption. It makes sense to find an adoption lawyer online.
What about a family law attorney? Since we brought it up, you might be able to get a personal family-and-friends recommendation for a family lawyer. Unfortunately, family law practices usually have most of their experience with divorce. A family law attorney is not automatically an experienced adoption attorney.
Where should you look?
You can certainly just go to Google and type “adoption lawyer” into the search bar. If you’re in Arkansas, you’ll find Heimer Law by this method. If you are in another state, you’ll find an attorney who specializes in adoption in your state. Since every state has its own laws about adoption, it’s important to choose someone who knows the law of the state where you plan to adopt (usually where you live or where the child you want to adopt lives).
You can also check directories:
- Avvo is a directory of lawyers by state and specialty. You’ll find that many of the lawyers listed will be family law attorneys rather than adoption attorneys, but there are adoption lawyers listed.
- AAAA, the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, has a listing of adoption lawyers by state. This is a good way to find specialist attorneys.
- AdoptMatch offers carefully curated listings of adoption attorneys for expectant mothers and birth mothers.
There are other directories of lawyers. When you want to find an adoption lawyer online, these directories can help. They usually provide background information about all the attorneys so you can check their credentials before you make contact.
How to choose?
Make sure that the adoption lawyer you choose has extensive experience with adoption as well as strong credentials. Then ask for an initial consultation. Heimer Law, like many other adoption attorneys, offers a free initial consultation. When you meet, evaluate the attorney’s conversational style and make sure that you feel comfortable. An adoption journey can be an emotional roller coaster; you need someone supportive, with whom you can work comfortably.
Meet more than one adoption lawyer if your first experience doesn’t leave you feeling sure about your choice. Adoption can take some time, so it’s worth spending some time thinking about who you want to work with.
Inquiry Form