[parksd]

I recently met a 23-year-old mother with 3 daughters (age 6, 5, & 3) and she expressed an interest in having my wife & I adopt them. The mother lives in Kansas City and her daughers currently stay w/her ex-husband's mother who does "the best she can" raising them. My wife (31) & I (42) have no children and live in West Virginia.

How do we proceed if we want to make this happen? Can we simply have find a lawyer to take care of this?
Are there agencies we are required to contact to do background checks, parenting training, etc.?

After a discussion on the phone I told the mother I'd write her a letter telling her more about us, where we live, and sending some pictures of us and our home. Does that sound reasonable to do at this time?

What about paying to have them come out and visit us? Do I need to contact lawyers, etc. before doing this?

Thanks for any help,
Don