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Originally Posted By Linda Lach

Question: My friend recently was contacted by a b-mom and she was requested to adopt her 4 month old daughter. My friend said sure. The Birth mother came and dropped the baby off and she called a lawyer and they said it was to late now and a general power of attorney would have to be signed which means she has no legal rights to this child if the mother would come back! Would it be to her benifit to type up an legal agreement saying that she has full custody with the right to file for and to adopt this child and have the mother sign it and notarize it?? What should she do?? Just wondering and really need the help.

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Your friend should contact an adoption attorney immediately. If no attorney in her area is particularly noted as an adoption attorney, then a family law attorney may be able to help.

I don't believe that the document you suggest will give your friend the right to adopt the child or the protection she needs - only a consent to adoption, or whatever the document is called in her state, properly executed according to the applicable law, will do that. I urge your friend to see an attorney as soon as possible.

This is not something to undertake on her own.