[mellynhut]

Hi, everyone.

I am getting ready to start the search for my bson who was born in 1989. I am a little bit confused about how a private adoption works and looking back am able to see how naive I was and how little I knew.

I started to go through an agency, but I didn't. They made me feel so pressured and I left. I found an adoption attorney to go through. She was very nice and I felt comfortable with her.

I thought she was my attorney, finding adoptive parents for me. She found a sweet couple and they sent me a letter and about a week after he was born, we went to her office to sign the adoption papers. Here's the red flag - she said oh by the way, let me introduce you to mr. attorney. I am really aparents' attorney and this is just a formality. Now thinking back, I never got copies of anything. I was so numb, I can't even remember what I signed.

Now, I feel so stupid. I should have known she wasn't looking out for me. I guess I just didn't know any better.

So, how would I go about getting copies of my paperwork? I don't know who "my" attorney was. I remember the aparents attorney, for sure, because I thought she was my attorney, and she is still practicing here. I am not real sure where to start with this. I am a little bit ticked off and feel like I was decieved. When she recently ran for family court judge, I thought about calling her opponent with this little diddy, but I didn't want to get caught up in all of that and my story be used for political gain, if it could have been used.

Also, do aparents who go through private adoptions have to be checked out by a social worker like other adoptions? I hope and pray so.

Just not sure where to start.

Thank you,
Melly