[AdoptInMe]

I am new to this site and to adoption. We just got our toll free number, ordered business cards and are meeting with a lawyer on Thursday. We plan on searching on our own for a birthmother, and just using our lawyer to get us through it.

My mom told me this morning about 2 different women who were doing independent adoption, and both of them got scammed and lost a ton of money, ending up with no baby. Apparently, one of them even went to all the doctor's appointments with the birthmom. They said that there are women out there who just promise the baby to many different women, get a lot of money, then either only give the baby to one family or keep the baby. How can I tell if the birthmother is legit? Are there any precautions we need to consider? Do you give the Birthmom money up front? For what? TIA!