[Lisa2003]

Hi everyone!
we are adoptive parents, guatemala. Hoping to adopt # 2 and looking at domestic adoption for the first time. We live in the bay area and we need to keep costs down (spent it all in 9 years of infertility plus one adoption). We are hispanics and we would like to adopt a hispanic baby. Could you give us information on doing a private adoption? recommending an attorney?? or even a facilitator?? would that route be more cost effecient than an agency?? any advice/do's and don't are greatly appreciated.

thank you!!
Lisa

[3+TWINS+1MORE=6]

[Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments]

Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message.

[tobeafamily]

First, I'd suggest you ask for references from your OB/GYN, religious leader, local adoption support group members, family & friends for agencies and, since they're legal in CA, facilitators.

Call all of them and get fee structures, services, and gague your comfort level. Beware those who say their families are 'guaranteed a match' within a period of time or 'almost always match', that type of language. Connections in domestic adoption are very different than in international, and there are a lot of unknown factors that make your time to connect unpredictable.

You will at a minimum need a homestudy from someone. You will also need an attorney to handle your legal avenues. If you don't have one already, find one who's experienced in domestic parental placement. The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys keeps their member list online at www.adoptionattorneys.com.

Where you save the most is in your networking & searching, it's actually IMHO the best way to find your connection anyway. Please feel free to PM me, I've got a list of tips.

Regina