[MsLadyExecutive]

One other question please: Just curious, is it manditory that an adoption be finalized through an attorney or can a paralegal also complete the adoption finalization proceedings?

[redfred]

From having experienced wonderful, nearly perfectly uneventful adoptions as well as worst case scenario everything gone horribly, horribly wrong adoptions, I can say that I personally would NEVER EVER EVER even CONSIDER having a paralegal do the finalization. I look at the situation as if I had the benefit of hindsight. How much money would you be willing to pay to make sure all the obscure legalities are properly taken care of and all the loopholes are closed? How much cash would it be worth to avoid the risk of having your child taken away from you? I believe that lawyers often charge too much and the expenses they inflict upon their clients are unrealistic, but when it comes to the future of my children, I pay the fees in a heartbeat.

[Nevada Jen]

It is not mandatory that you use an attorney. You can even do it yourself. But I am pretty sure a paralegal cannot represent you in court. I would second the previous poster. I know people hate attorneys but usually the people who hate them the most are the people who end up paying them after something has happened that could have been avoided if they had just consulted with an attorney beforehand.

An attorney for just finalization should not cost very much in relation to total adoption costs. I would expect less than $1000.

Jen

[Lexie]

Definitely use a lawyer, but also definitely get an independent referral or reference ( Don't just use the attorney referred by the agency--that was our mistake)

[MsLadyExecutive]

Thank you for your insight. I agree with you. I actually am a paralegal and also have a law degree even though I have never sat for the Florida Bar. I was asking because a good friend is an excellent paralegal and she has been behind me to allow her to undertake the paperwork for a miminal cost and not go to an attorney. I know she has done several of them. However, I am on the side of everyone here to seem to agree that whereas an adoption may be completed a paralegal, minimizing the risk should be paramount.

Thanks Ladies. Thanks for the support.

Shay

[ocracoke]

As a paralegal I will just say that any paralegal doing business outside of the supervision of an attorney is not only behaving unethically but also illegally. Anything that is processed through a paralegal must also be seen by an attorney first. And a paralegal cannot represent you in court. I have processed a few adoptions - meaning assited with the paperwork - but ultimately my boss (the attorney) needed to review and approve anything before I could file with the court or send out to the client.