[ChromaKelly]

I almost feel overwhelmed with the choices out there for adoption.

We are about halfway through our homestudy (agency pretty much only does homestudies, small number of placements) and we still haven't signed with a placing agency. I am very torn between going with an agency, or signing on with some referral services to have more exposure to potential matches. I know we can't talk specific agencies/professionals, but just tell me what direction you took and the pros and cons.

I also want to thank those of you that PM'ed me previously. I've gained some great information and leads about agencies and services I didn't even know about.
If anyone else wants to share their info, good or bad, with me, please PM me.

[Linny]

We've adopted babies, domestically....three times. (A total of five times if you count the international babies before them.)

If you're wanting, you can do both! If you're dealing with an agency or attorney or facilitator that requires substantial $$ up front or....'at match' as they love to say, that might limit you; but honestly, everyone SHOULD be willing to allow you to deal with several entities at one time.
If you're not sure, feel free to pm me. But I know in our pursuits, we've always worked with more than one agency and attorney at one time.

Best of luck to you...

Sincerely,

Linny

[rredhead]

If you do work with a referral service, never ever ever pay the bulk of the money until the placement occurs. Otherwise, you could be out tens of thousands of dollars.
This goes for agencies too, however, I've often seen referral fees in the high thousands, low tens of thousands range. All referral services do is match you with an expectant mom. If the mom chooses to parent, you're out the money, period, end of sentence. Even if you do part with money at the match when using an agency (and I don't think that you should part with too much of it then) you at least get that money to "roll over" to the next match.
Good luck!