[chickenrunshrek]

By all means, get the best lawyer that you can find that specializes in family law. Having someone who can guide you through this process while protecting your interests is invaluable. Regardless of how many family members are behind the idea, there are bound to be issues along the way. Roles and identities will be blurred. Relationships will be forever altered. There are countless issues that are unique to family adoptions. Will your sister's role be as aunt or as grandma? Will you have a contact or visitation agreement with the biological parents? (I highly recomend one if you plan on having an open adoption) What role (if any) will they have in the child's life? Everyone in our family was "for it" but there are still unavoidable issues and strains. As for cost, that depends. You may only wind up paying several hundred in court and vital records costs. Or you might wind up in a situation such as ours that became a year and a half legal battle that nearly bankrupted us. Laws in these matters vary widely from state to state so you need to contact an expert in your area.

Whatever happens there is one thing to always keep in mind. From the moment that you and the birth mom decide to arrange for an adoption the most important thin in the world is to protect the welfare of that child. No matter what choices you and your family make someone will always be second guessing you. All that matters is that the child have a shot at a life that you can provide. Don't worry about hurt feelings because no matter what, somebody will be hurt. You have to to what is best for yourself and your immediate family. Everything and everyone else are second fiddle at best. Good luck!