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General questions: Find out what percentage of their caseload is adoption related. Ask them about how many contested cases they've handled. Find out if they charge on an hourly basis or by the project. What kind of retainer is necessary?
Ask them to walk you through the process of a typical adoption---what happens when, what's a ballpark time frame? What happens if the birthfather is unknown or can't be located---what efforts are made to find him to terminate rights?
I'm guessing that you are doing a private adoption, so I would also ask questions about what efforts they make to find you a birthmother---is that up to you or do they have an established network? (I'll tell you that in our area, they don't really do much of that, you usually see them once you've located a birthmother on your own.) What type of birthmother expenses should you expect to pay? (Most states have caps of some kind) What kind of network do they have available to the birthmother if she needs medical care or counseling? What role will the attorney play in facilitating any meetings or open adoption agreement if those are part of the plan?
Will that facilitation be done at an hourly rate?
And finally I would ask what fees you would be responsible for if the birthmother required her own lawyer (for instance if a guardian was necessary) and whether the lawyer in question had any experience with ICWA (The federal Indian Child Welfare Act).
That's a lot, but you'll probably think of more during your meeting!
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