[mkd'smom]

My husband and I are in the process of signing up with Life Time Adoption. Any information from previous clients would be great. This will be our second adoption. The first was private, no agency.

If you have worked with Life Time Adoption could you let me know the wait time, we will take a Hispanic, or Hispanic mixed child, support, treatment of birthmoms.

Thank you!!

[amom4life]

Hi,
We are working with Lifetime Adoptions too. We have all of our paper work in as well as our Birthmother booklets and now we are waiting for a match.
Our good friends also went through Lifetime and they were matched in 5 mos. and that was after turning down 4 other birthmothers. They brought their baby girl home a little over a month ago. Making their wait from start to babies birth around 8 mos.
They had a very good experience with Lifetime and so have we.

Where are you in the process?
Judy

[amom4life]

Oh i forgot to answer some of your questions. Lifetime's whole staff is very supportive of the birthmothers and the adoptive families. They have always been there for us and they respond promptly. They also do an excellent job of screening both birthmothers and prospective adoptive families.
In the case of a failed adoption which is rare with them you may start over without extra fees and they will extend the time of the contract or rather freeze the time to allow for grievingbefore you start again.
Hope this helps.
Judy

[Brat]

We looked into Lifetime, had a phone consultation, and they seem just great.

I just feel a little wary because they are facilitators. You pay the whole $6000 up front, and then you hire a lawyer ($3500 flat fee) to take care of things an agency might, such as caring for the bmom's needs, processing paperwork, finding the bfather (add'l $350/hr if necessary), and referring you for a homestudy (which will cost us $3,000). That's not over the top expensive, but the jury is still out for us since we won't get back those lawyer or bmom expenses if the placement doesn't work out.

Again, they sound great. I'm just being really picky as we narrow down our options and move forward.

[mkd'smom]

Hi amom4life and Brat,

Thank you for your responses. We have just sent in the initial papers, no money yet. I just wanted to know if anyone had worked with them. It all justs sounds too good to be true. Almost no wait, no too expensive, although I was quoted a higher rate tham Brat. It just makes me nervous to send in a check for such a larger amount without some background information.

I have also heard that they may not be too nice to the bmoms and I don't like that.

I guess I'll just wait and see if they accept us and then go from there.

Take care.

[amom4life]

I don't know where you heard that Lifetime isn't nice to the birthmothers, but that is so not true. Thay care very much for the birthmothers and fully respect them. I have met all of the staff in person and I know one of the staff personally. We have been friends for several years.They are all loving and caring individuals. I have talked in depth with Lifetime's founder Mardie in person. We talked for a couple of hours in her office. She answered all of our questions and concerns to our satisfaction. Lifetime has a very good reputation and an excellent track record.

Whoever you decide to go with I just felt the need to defend the truth about Lifetime.
Judy

[Brat]

Hi there back at cha!

Just wanted to let you know that my quote may have been lower because we are seeking to adopt a biracial infant. They didn't spell this out to us, but now that you say your quote is higher, I wonder if you are seeking to adopt a Caucasian child.

Also, as far bmothers go, while doing a random search on Lifetime, I saw a posting somewhere from a bmother who said she was treated poorly years ago, and then a follow-up from another poster who referred to her instability. I have never heard or seen any other reference to Lifetime not treating bmothers well. Since they are faciliators, they can't provide professional counseling, and I wish that they could. They do provide references, though, and I think they have some arrangement were aparents can pay for up to two sessions before they send you off on your own to find more. (Not clear on that so don't quote me.)

Beyond that, I felt my questions regarding how pbmothers are treated were answered sufficiently. One thing our phone counselor highlighted was that pbmothers are never pushed into making the decision to place, and I thought that displayed a respectful attitude.

Please pass on where you heard these negative assessment of their treatment of bmoms. It will certainly solve my indecisiveness about this agency if I find out that it's true.

[mkd'smom]

Hi guys,

Someone p.m. and told me her friend used Lifetime and that they were not nice to bmoms and that was all she could say as a lawsuit was on going. No details. I have spoken with the staff and find them to be very nice and find it hard to believe that they are mean to anyone. I just wanted some feed back before I invested such a large sum of money.

My husband and I are looking for a Hispanic mix not full Caucasion, however not Africian American, so maybe that is the reason.

I in no way started this thread to bad mouth Lifetime, just to get information.

Thanks for your information

[KatieMill]

My DH and I are currently using Lifetime...and we have been in for a wait. We have been signed with them for over 1 year....and apparently many other couples have been as well. The staf have always been friendly with us; however, we are now on our 3 case manager in 14 mos....neither time that there was a switch did anyone call or even send a note or email that there was to be a change. You just call in to talk to your cm and then you're told that person is on medical leave...could someone else help you?

I am somewhat frustrated because I was led to believe that their wait time was much less...and that people were only not matched within 2 years if it was due to their pretty strict preferences...eye color, skin color, etc.

We have talked to more than one birthmother...but definitely not a multitude....and I have caught them in some mistruths...that they offered first....So at this point, I'm actively searching other options that won't be costly to locate the child for my family...and pursuing my options as to whether or not I want to talk to them about the specifics that I'm unhappy with....

[KatieMill]

As I don't much like the editing of posts....to clarify who the "them " is in the 3rd paragraph...I'm referring to Lifetime...not potential birthmothers.

katie

[amom4life]

Hi KatieMill,
In all this time with Lifetime you were never presented with potential birthmothers? You said you talked to some birthmothers so I'm wondering what happened. Also we are working with Lifetime too and would appreciate knowing what your experience was with the "mistruths" if you feel comfortable sharing that information.
Thanks!
Judy