[mmpaine]

I'm new here and new to this. My husband and I are very EXCITED! I am not able to conceive, but my sister has just found out she is pregnant. She already has 2 children and realizes she can't take on another one. We are going to adopt it but not sure if anyone knows how it works. My sister is in CA and I am in VA. Can anyone give me any insight as to how to proceed.

Thank you!!!

[2manyks]

i adopted my brothers kids. contact an adoption attorney. it cost us about $1200.00 and 10 minutes in court. my bro just had to sign parental rights over to us. easy, no homestudy. of course your attorney will tell you the laws for your state. good luck!

[scrapy]

Wow, that is great. I wish you all the best!

[mmpaine]

Can this be done before the baby is born?

[mmpaine]

Thank you!!!

[GodGaveUsYou]

We are in the process of doing this as well. From what I understand from meetin gour attorney it is a fairly easy process. Definatly get an attorney and get your questions answered!

Best of luck to you!

[GodGaveUsYou]

When we were presented with this opportunity we called a lawyer immediatly and met with him. Our little one is due in about a month and we have everything in line. Our attorney will meet us up at the hospital the day after the baby is born to get the papers signed for temporary custody and medical treatment!

Originally Posted by mmpaine

Can this be done before the baby is born?

[bromanchik]

What about the father?

[mmpaine]

The father is my brother in law. My sister is married. They both realize that they already have their hands full.

[ouska]

Congratulations and good luck.
Peggy

[taylor131001]

I'm going through the same thing how much does your lawyer cost?

[newmen]

Hi,
I have a similar situation. I am adopttng my sister's kid who is going to be born in January. I live in VA.I have spoken to a couple of attorneys and there are quoting charges as high as $10000. Our adoption undersatnding is mutual and there should not be any issues as my sister already has two kids and I have a long history of infertility. Can somebody throw some more insight into the legal process ? Do we also have to have a attorney in GA as I live in VA and the kid will be born in GA. I would really appreciate your responses.

Thanks

[Lynard1210]

I adopted my husband's grandaughter and I prepared and filed all the paperwork myself. It only cost me the filing fee - under $500.00. I only recommend this is you can get both parents to consent in writing to terminate their rights. If there is a father in question or some issue with paternity, i would hire the best lawyer you can find (and don't use the yellow pages . . go by word of mouth and make sure he/she specializes in adoption . . i work for lawyers . .and i have met a lot of incompetent ones).

I found most of the forms on-line and the ones i didn't find, i went to the clerk of courts. Although the clerks cannot give legal advice, in my county in Ohio, they were helpful if i was unsure about filling out a form.

It went smoothly without a hitch. We did have a homestudy but the cost was included in the filing fee. A county social worker came out, stayed 30 minutes and didn't even ask to see the nursery.

6 months later we were in court finalizing.

Good luck!

[newmen]

Lynn,
Thanks a lot for your insight. We will not have any problem with getting the consent signed from both the parents. It sounded quite simple after I read your experience. Did you also have an interstate adoption ? Some of the attorneys mentioned that we have to have an attorney in GA (state where the baby will be born). Would you have any idea about this situation ? Do we have to file any papers in GA court also ?
Thanks again.

[mmpaine]

I haven't contacted an attorney yet. My husband is in the military and we are trying to do it with the military lawyers.