[momin_96]

We're considering contracting with them and wondered if anyone had used them or knew anything about them. Their fees seem reasonable, but I don't know anyone who's used them.

[susanlowman]

Hi!

We have just received our contracts from Lifetime. We did our initial paperwork and had a "phone interview". So far, they are very nice. Our contracts state that we pay an $8700 fee UP FRONT. This has been the only thing that has concerned us. I am willing to pay their fees, I just don't like paying everything UP FRONT. (Please don't bash me, I just have heard of many scams that started this way -- I do NOT think Lifetime Adoptions will scam us, it just worries me!)

Good luck to you!

[glollybe]

HI Susan,

We agree this upfront money, we too had the interview and was accepted, then followed a large packet of info. We found that a pager, a nd a 800 number and etc... was required for them to deal with you, then for two yrs you are contractd and they d/n gurantee the match or placement etc.. You still are responsible for the attorney and paperwork and etc beyond the initial fee to them, the fee is a little deceiving to us because we thought that was the whole picture, but it its not. We chose another route, and Praise God we did, she will be delivering any day now.

gloria

[live2bhappy2003]

Susan,

We ALMOST went through them and were "desperate" for our business because of our race. However, the big red flag is paying that $8700 upfront, and that contract, as far as I recall, has a TIMEFRAME on it, so let's say you are not placed with a baby within that timeframe, you'll have to pay again that fee. I may be wrong, so please correct me, but I found that working with wonderful agencies that don't require a CENT upfront, no contract, and low adoption costs are for us. Heavensent is probably the best if you're open to biracial or AA children. I have YET to hear anything bad about them.

I sense a gut feelling from you that you don't feel you did the right thing. I pray that things work out for you, but after a year's worth of constant research, and discussions with others and attornies, this has been advised not the best way to go - working with facilitators.

[dvcer]

We worked with a facilitator on our first adoption and while we are thrilled beyond measure with the results (our beautiful little boy), I wouldn't recommend going the facilitator route.

I, too, found the presentation to be deceptive-- we are now educated on the adoption process from the inside, but at the time I thought that the fee they quoted was the whole thing. I also didn't understand that we're basically signing up for an "independent" adoption and that the facilitator cannot offer services like counseling and legal to the bmom. Our expenses, needless to say, were FAR in excess to what we expected initially. The bmom had to have an attorney in addition to the attorney for us, and that attorney's expenses alone were $6000 (a rip off as I told her in no uncertain terms).

I just feel that there is little or no protection for the adoptive family in a facilitator situation. But each situation is different as we all know. This time we're looking for a good agency where we can feel confident that bmom is getting the counseling she needs and deserves, as well as legal advice.

Best of luck.

[momin_96]

It was great to read all these replies. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about Lifetime. It sounds like everyone had a good experience with them.

[live2bhappy2003]

How can you say "everyone" has had a good experience with them?! You need to do more research! ANYTIME you have to fork out that kind of money is a huge red flag, regardless of how nice they are. If you go with them and things work out great, but why take the risk when you can go a safer route without spending the money until you've been placed with a baby!