[Vicki H]

We were approached about adopting a baby girl due in January. The mother is a cousin of a friends husband and definately does not want to keep the baby.

If an adoption is private does anyone have a ballpark figure on attorney and other legal fees and also how long does the birthmother have to change her mind.

I know PA has some of the more difficult laws regarding adoption and I would like to know some info before agreeing to anything at this point.

Thanks so much,
Vicki

[mommyoftwo]

Is the birthmother also from PA? If she is from NJ, you can use NJ laws, which are much better. I have worked with 2 different PA lawyers for my adoptions. I liked them both. If you would like either ones name, please PM me.

[tobeafamily]

Vicki,

Since this is an identified adoption, I wouldn't expect your total fees and expenses to exceed $10K really.

You'll need to complete a homestudy and post-placement supervsion. In some states this can be done by a SW, in others an agency must participate.

Not up on Pennsylvania's adoption laws, this link may help:

http://members.aol.com/StatutesPA/23.html

You might also want to get in touch with a quad-A attorney who's got experience in domestic parental placement in PA. They will definitely be able to advise you on consent and revocation periods for biological parents as well as estimated total fees. Call at least 3 for fees as I've found they vary widely.

HTH best of luck.

Regina

[Vicki H]

Does anyone know, if the birthmother has signed with an agency is she bound to that agency?
Another question if she does now have to use them, can she choose the birthparents or would the baby go to the next waiting family on the list?

thanks
Vicki

[ses1230]

Vicki,

PA laws are: the birthmother may sign 72 hours after the birth. Consent becomes irrevocable 30 days after the birth, or 30 days after signing, whichever is later.

I agree with tobeafamily, your costs should not be more than 10K.

It was my understanding that potential birthmothers are not bound to a particular agency. You said "signed" with an agency, does that mean that an agency made the birthmother sign a contract? I'm not sure this is allowed. I would check with an adoption attorney.

If you are in the Philly area, I know a great adoption attorney, feel free to PM me. If not, you can search for one at http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/

Good Luck!

[tobeafamily]

Originally Posted by Vicki H

Does anyone know, if the birthmother has signed with an agency is she bound to that agency?
Another question if she does now have to use them, can she choose the birthparents or would the baby go to the next waiting family on the list?

thanks
Vicki

Vicky,

She is never bound to a particular agency. She may choose to do or work with whomever she likes. She is contratually bound to noone.

She may either choose her child's adoptive parents - called a domestic parental placement adoption - or allow the agency to choose - called an agency adoption. The majority of newborn adoptions in the US are domestic parental placement.

Note that choosing her child's adoptive parents does not 'guarantee' openness nor does it require a commitment to openness on her part or her child's aparents. This is separately negotiated. There are domestic parental placements with no or emergency-only ongoing contact post-placement. They are less common though than semi-open or fully open adoptions.

HTH

Regina