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Do we need a lawyer? If so, when?
Hi, guys. We got our first placement 2-1/2 months ago, the day we were licensed as foster parents. We are a pre-adoptive home to G. We've had our struggles, but G is our boy.  We just heard that the BPs are relinquishing their rights instead of TPR, so it looks like this will happen.
This is our first time to do this. Can you guys share your wisdom about what you wish you had done, what you did that was a good idea, etc (with the adoption process itself)?
Also, do we need a lawyer to adopt our 10 year old? If so, at what point should we retain one? And, what does the lawyer do for us? I have a friend at work who's husband is an adoption attorney, and he does pro bono work for people adopting through the system, so the cost would be negligible for us, thank God! 
Thanks for any insight you can give us. We are excited about becoming a family!!!
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Licensed as foster/adoptive parents 10/31/08.
G respite visits on weekends of 10/31/08 and 11/7/08.
G pre-adoptive on 11/14/08.
TPR granted Jan 15, 2009.
Waiting period for finalization of TPR over Jan 25, 2009.
6 month waiting period over, G available for us to adopt, 5/22/09.
Signed Petition for Adoption June 4, 2009.
Finalization June 22, 2009.
Last edited by HopefulInTN : 01-12-2009 at 05:56 AM.
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