[mlsb]

we want to adopt but are confused on how to choose - do we go with an adoption agency, or adoption facilitator or a private attorney, etc... help!!

[WantsABabyGirl]

I am also wondering the same thing. I have been doing a lot of searching, "homework" & just don't know what to do & who to go with. I am wanting to start the homestudy as soon as we can but don't even know who to go with on that.

Marlene

[dad2bsoon]

private attorneys usally take longer, facilitators seem to be kinda shady, go with an agency. just because an agency is smaller, or only handling fewer clients at one time doesnt make them better, compare numbers, completed adoptions. there is an agency in ohio that is great, our first son is from russia, vladimir region, and we are using them for our second adoption. Currently they have completed something like 4200 adoptions in 12 years. This is definatly a hand holding agency.even with what i guess is many clients our consultant is never lacking in responce to our many phone calls with sometimes silly questions.

[kdenman]

Originally Posted by mlsb

we want to adopt but are confused on how to choose - do we go with an adoption agency, or adoption facilitator or a private attorney, etc... help!!

Although it seems more costly, the safest route is to hire an agency. There is one agency that I researched that I could find nothing "bad" about at all - and I researched a lot of them! I would not recommend thru a lawyer or doing it yourself - the risks are so great, and your heart can get so broken! The "best" bet and cheapest would be a personal referral ("hey, my high school girlfriend is pregnant, want the baby?") but these are rare. After 10 years, we're still waiting for one of those. LOL

[Ben Sheets]

Be sure you do your research and really check up on any agency you use.

[EDITED]

[BrandyHagz]

Please remember that the discussion of all fee based adoption services MUST be done via PM.

[jm75]

Originally Posted by mlsb

we want to adopt but are confused on how to choose - do we go with an adoption agency, or adoption facilitator or a private attorney, etc... help!!

You should probably use a licensed adoption agency over an attorney. Many attorneys don’t focus solely on adoption, and their emphasis is on the legal aspects rather than locating a child. I would not recommend working only with a facilitator, for one thing, they are not licensed by the state government – agencies have strict regulations that they must comply with. So, I would recommend working with a licensed adoption agency because 1) they focus solely on adoption, 2) they are more accountable; 3) there is government oversight.

[EDITED]. Much of your decision may be based on what country you want to adopt from. Contact the agencies and see how friendly they are, how knowledgeable they are, and how successful they have been in the past. Get their adoption materials and check out their websites. Talk to friends and read posts.

[BrandyHagz]

Closing this thread due to excess moderation even after a warning was posted.