[Skarpe]

Is there anybody out there using DECOLORES ADOPTION AGENCY in Lake Charles Louisiana ? If anyone could give me info whether good or bad I would appreciate it. Thanks Sonya

[Guatprincess]

I am active on a yahoo Guatemalan adoption list.It is a very active list.Many of its members have gone through Decolores.If you want more info. go to yahoogroups and join Guatemalan_ adoptions.

[SueK]

I had a very negative experience with Decolores. If you search the archives on this site you will find some posts regarding Decolores.

Sue

[rosiedaffodil]

Hello,
I'm using DeColores and they are very helpful and nice. Whenever I call they are more than willing to talk for however long I need. They took as much time as needed to help me with my docs. and sent me whatever I required via mail, fax or email.

Whenever an agency works with such a high volume of clients there is bound to be some who present difficulties.

Michelle

[Guatprincess]

Sue, Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your adoption.I know how it is when you have problems with your agency.I had problems with the agency that I was originally going through as well.But I ended up switching agencies.If your agency is doing something unethical you can always report them.I did and now my (first agency)is no longer aloud to do adoptions in Guatemala.

[Renn]

My husband and I were considering DeColores. I spoke to someone locally who had used them to bring home her two sons. Although the adoption ended up to be successful she recommended AGAINST using DeColores. She indicated they were unprofessional and unethical.

I would say that you'll find people who like just about every agency and people who don't like just about every agency. That's been my experience.

[becky]

Renn,

I think you are right about 'most' agencies. You will find happy clients and unhappy clients almost everywhere. That is what makes finding an agency so difficult. The important thing to remember is to pay very close attention to 'why' the unhappy clients were unhappy. If they have reasons that are really out of the control of the agency (my SW in Guatemala took 4 months to write the report and therefore my case took 10 months to complete...or passport took 3 months and therefore my case took 10 months to complete, etc.) The things that go wrong with the system in Guatemala sometimes cannot be helped by even the best of agencies.

BUT...if you hear things like:
1. I never received updates/pictures.
2. I could hardly get my phone calls returned.
3. I never knew the status of my case.
4. My child was ill and I wasn't aware of it.
5. My child received poor foster care while in Guatemala.
6. My case took 9-12 months and there was no real reason given (such as a slowdown in the process in GC).

If you hear these kinds of complaints from more than one client...I'd keep looking for another agency. There are agencies who work in Guatemala who consistently have outstanding reputations. You would be very hard pressed to find 'anyone' who had a negative thing to say about these agencies. So...keep doing your homework...keep asking questions...as my friend Lisa always says "research, research, research!!"

Good Luck to you all!

[bennett]

becky..
in your opinion..and from seeing all the adoptions from start to finish over the last few years...

what are the "average", or should i say , "reasonable" time line for updates , pictures etc. from start to finish
from the agency / lawyers...??

[becky]

Amy,

I don't think that there are overall averages. What I do think is that the agency you use should tell you their policies concerning updates/pictures/medical reports. Then, if your agency does not follow through with what they promised, you have a reason to complain.

Updates, pictures and medicals almost always depend upon the individual attorney. Some do many of them, others do none. Your agency should give you that information when you are offered a referral.

When I got my referral of Isabella, I received 10 pictures, a brief medical report and the birth certificate. I only received pictures when my agency visited (none from the attorney). I never received any medical updates. I did get one weight update before I traveled so that I would know what size clothes/diapers to bring.

With all that said...I was told at the beginning that my attorney would not provide medical updates, unless there was a problem. The old 'no news is good news' thing. I also knew I would receive pictures/videos about every 6-8 weeks when the agency director visited with each of the children and foster mothers.

So...I knew what to expect and that is exactly what I got. Was this 'average'...probably not, some agencies do more, but it was what I was told to expect, so I was fine with it.

As for 'averages' as far as timelines go. I would say that pre-Hauge, they fell into 3 distinct categories:

The REALLY excellent agencies almost across the board had children home in 3-5 months.
The majority of agencies have children home in 6-9 months.
A few agencies never seem to be able to bring a child home before 10 months or longer.

Of course there are exceptions to everything. Even the excellent agencies run into problem cases. What makes these agencies deserve their 'excellent' reputation is how they handle these cases. Some agencies try to give their clients the run-around. They make up excuses for the attorneys, or blame the Guatemalan system. The great agencies are on top of everything, they keep you informed every step of the way, and if necessary, they are in Guatemala helping to solve the problem if at all possible.

Enough of my personal soapbox....

Have a great day!!

[bennett]

thanks becky
after many emails they finally called over and talked to
the lawyers assistant..

this is what they are tellling me and maybe you can
tell me if it sounds right or where i am..

dossier went over first week in april with referal and poa

not sure when.. but currently

its all been translated...its been registered..(?)
and it has been submitted to fc for a court date....
no mention of dna but they billed my card five weeks ago.

does that sound like its moving or sitting ??
what happens next??

thanks

[becky]

If it has been submitted to FC that is good...sounds like you are moving.

If they actually billed your credit card 5 weeks ago then I would certainly ask the agency if:
1. Has the embassy given approval for DNA testing (which you should have had before giving your credit card...but it doesn't hurt to ask)
2. Has the DNA sample been taken. If not, when is it scheduled. If it has not been done, I would question why your card was charged 5 weeks ago.
3. If the DNA has been done...how long ago was it, and if it's been more than two weeks, what are the results.

Hope you get some good answers!

Good Luck,

[sr5242]

I second Sue- my experience with Decolores was horrible, and unnecessarily long and painful due to their errors.

I would gladly share my experience to save others from what I went through.

sr5242@aol.com

Sonya,

I just returned Friday night from Guatemala with my 8 month old son. It was an awful trip, and some of that is my own fault, but as soon as I feel up to it I will share my experience with Decolores. I have both positive and negative things to share.

Kathleen

[becky]

Kathleen,

I am so glad you made it home...I was really hoping you weren't going to be stuck there for a long time waiting on that pink slip!

Hope your little guy is doing well.

You are in our thoughts.