[pkblock]

Hello to all on this forum.
My husband and I need your advise so we can make a decision on what country to proceed ahead with.
We finally had made a decision to adopt from Guatemala but, I have heard that there might be some changes and it will be almost impossible to adopt from this country soon, and it will take forever to get a child.
Could some of you be so kind as to tell me if we should not even consider Guatemala for adoption?

We don't want to start out and have problems from the get go.

I am so scared anyway after some of the problems my friends had when they all adopted from russia.

Please advise us.
Thank you so much
Pam

[Bassette]

In the 3+ years that I have been following Guatemalan adoptions there has continuously been some gloomy law proposal threatening to change the course of or shut the program down. They have all been shot down. If I were going to adopt again I would have no problem jumping right in and starting the process again from Guatemala.

Best wishes and good luck to you with whatever you decide is right for your family.

[Bonitabonita]

I entirely concur with Steph. If it's not one crazy, unconstitutional proposal it's another with Guatemala. It keeps both the gov. bureacrats and the attorneys employed -- a good thing for international adoption. Okay, maybe I'm being a little flippant, but, seriously, I would not hesitate to proceed with a Guatemala adoption.

Now, Nepal, that's another story!!!

Boni, mami to 11 mo old Maria Cristina

[becky]

I would probably wait just a few weeks before jumping into a Guatemalan adoption. I think we will all have a much better feel for what congress is going to do with this new law by that time.

I think those who have started should keep plugging away, but I personally wouldn't send any money to anyone right now until I had a better idea if this new law is going anywhere.

Just my two cents...

[starryeyes]

about this (I hope you don't mind). We are just starting also, and I'm wondering, if I finish the dossier and get a referral, then give $10,000 to the attorney, if I will get that refunded if some law passes that we could not adopt or that it would take years and years. Our agency contract does not address this (and I think they said you can have that reviewed by an attorney before signing but they don't do changes). It's very troubling.

Still excited (but cautious),

[Kirsten]

I agree with Becky. Just because none of the bills have passed so far doesn't mean that one won't eventually. Clearly, there is high level backing for this proposal and the anti adoption folks are tenacious if nothing else. The Hague did in fact shut down adoptions for several months. If this bill passes, there will be a challenge just like the Hague and things would likely come to a standstill until its all hashed out.

Knowing all this, I'd think it would be prudent to wait a few weeks just to see where this all goes. If you have a referral already, I'd for sure get your POA to Guatemala so your case will be grandfathered into what ever system emerges.

Of course, let's hope none of this is necessary but I'd be willing to bet its only a matter of time before some form of change comes to Guatemalan adoptions. If not this law, then the next one....

Kirsten

[pkblock]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your replies to my question. We have a agency in mind that was highly recommened several months ago by many people on this forum. I don't know what the status would be currently on this agency. I would appreciate any new info via private message to me in regards to Celebrate Children INternational.

Would it be a good idea to directly call the lady in charge of this agency and see what her thoughts are on the current situation in Guatemala?

I'm so disappointed we have dragged our feet with getting started on our adoption, that it might not be a reality anylonger with Guatemala if the new laws go into effect.

Thanks again for your responses.
Pam

[shellydm]

HI-
I just sent you a private message. Please check your PM box. Thanks