[HollyMack]

My husband and I are almost done with our home study. We are doing it through an agency here in Atlanta.

A close friend of mine got me in touch with a family friend of hers...anyways, this guy and his wife adopted two children using an attorney/agency in FL. This guy, I'll call him "Dave" - Dave RAVES about this agency. He told me that they matched him almost immediately with both adoptions. They work with referrals only and he says he's referred a couple of friends and they were also matched quickly. He said that his experience with them was phenomenal, etc, etc.

OK, so Dave and I first connected last fall and a few weeks ago, he referred me to this "great" agency in FL. This agency shares little to no information on their website, and the attorney has told me 3 times now that he would be getting back to me...and then hasn't.

My gut instinct is starting to be if-y. Why isn't this guy getting back to me like he should? I looked him up and he (and the other attny there) aren't members of AAAA.

Am I being incredibly impatient or are these red flags?

For what it is worth, my SW (the one doing our home study) said she likes this attorney and his agency! And I like and trust my SW...

I'm starting to think we need to look into other agencies

[JustCourtney]

I am a big believer in listening to your gut. If you are already feeling uneasy about him, imagine how you would feel if he had your cash ( I assume he would require some sort of deposit or retainer)!

In the end you will be dealing with whatever agency or attorney you decide to work with on a regular basis (sometimes daily or more when things are happening), and you need to be comfortable in the relationship and confident in their abilities. Some people would be okay with 48 hours to return a call. Personally, I wouldn't be. In fact, long response times or lack of responses is how we quickly whittles down our list of potential agencies!

Take your time in making your decision, once it is done you will only be able to sit back and wait!

best of luck!

[HollyMack]

Thanks, Courtney!

I actually first spoke with him two WEEKS ago and he has sent me a couple of e-mails saying: I will get back to you...and then never does.

I really appreciate the feedback!

Congrats on your adoption - you got matched so quickly, that is fantastic!

[minibus]

I agree with Courtney. You need to go with your gut. If you're feeling iffy about this attorney already, then you're going to be frustrated when he's actually supposed to be working for you and you're waiting on HIS next move before you can make yours.

[Linny]

Here's my take:

You mention that you're ALMOST DONE with your homestudy. In our experiences, UNTIL that homestudy is complete and signed, few (if any) agencies/attorneys want to deal with you. You could understand that, simply because they have to have that paperwork should anything come up, KWIM?

Secondly, not ALL agencies/attorneys want BIG $$ up front; and, once your homestudy IS done, why can't you also submit to any other agency/attorney you want to? A lot of us deal with more than one agency/attorney in trying to find our children. It's not unusual at all. In fact, I'd be leary of any agency/attorney who told you that you couldn't deal with more than one in your search! (FWIW, I just had an email from one agency who listed in their paperwork that they would ONLY allow clients to work with them...and NO OTHERS. THAT was a HUGE red flag to me, and I promptly checked them off as a resource for us! )

While it's good, I think, that you're being cautious, this attorney's attitude may be this way for the reason stated above. Also, that 'cautiousness' is a good thing when checking out any agency/attorney, IMO.
Good luck; and I hope your homestudy is completed soon!

Sincerely,

Linny