[eschult11]

We are pursing a potential direct placement (private adoption) The ** has been through an adoption previously (4 years ago) and they used an attorney. I spoke to 2 adoption attorneys and BOTH said that we should use a agency. I am very confsued by this. I am reading on these boards a lot of women who did use adoption attorneys and not an agency. So, I don't know why I was told that by 2 adoption attorneys.

Does anyone have any advce? Does anyone know how the process of attorney vs. agency would work for a private adoption. I was just thinking it might be cheaper.

any responce would be great or please email me at eschult11@aol.com

[eschult11]

also, do you have any recommendations for a good attorney in the washtenaw county area?

[Korrie Sue]

I'm doing an international adoption but I will offer my advice anyways....From what I have read, one of the benefits getting an adoption agency involved with a domestic adoption is that they have social workers on staff to provide conseling to the birthmom. As I am sure you can imagine, this might be a very important service.

Korrie Sue

[Dee1234]

You can use either an adoption agency or an attorney to complete an adoption in Michigan. (Some people even use both although it is not necessary.) If using an attorney, it is important that both you & the potential birth mom be represented seperately to avoid a conflict of interest. As Korrie Sue mentioned, the benefit to using an agency is that the pbmom will receive free ongoing counseling & support. Adoption is such a difficult & emotional decision, so couseling is definitely a good thing. We used a agency only & our child's birth mom received wonderful support from one of the social workers. I would recommend using an agency because of our experience with one.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

[umaangel00]

My husband and I have found our own birthmom. Well my mother in law and sister in law found her but nonetheless we are very excited! She is due in 2 weeks. With that being said, we want to use an attrony rather than an agency. Do we need a homestudy then? We live in Kent County. We do not have a homestudy done either. If we do need one can you recommend a place we can get one done rather quickly and cheaply? We just found out about this on Thursday so we need to move rapidly. Thanks!