[algaecat]

Can anyone give me any info on using facilitators on other states? Has anyone done it....is it more difficult??? Thanks.

[tobeafamily]

If you are planning on finalizing in Virginia (and there are only a very few states that allow non-residents to finalize there) then you cannot pay anyone - professional or paraprofessional - to help you connect with pbparents. To do so is illegal and can be grounds for voiding of the adoption.

HTH,

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[algaecat]

What would be the benefit of finalizing in VA?

[tobeafamily]

If you are a resident of Virginia and your child is born in any state that does not allow non-residents of their state to complete there (Texas for sure allows non-residents, Utah I think is another state that does), then there is no choice - you must transfer the adoption to Virginia and finalize in your home state.

If you do have a choice - i.e. your child is born in Texas, Utah, etc. then the benefit of returning to Virginia to finalize would be primarily in no cost to travel, not having to pay 2 attorneys to finalize & avoiding/managing possible complications where post-placement requirements are different, no finalization court apperance required.

For example, Ryan was born in Texas, a state that allows non-residents to finalize there (coincidentally, Texas is aslo a no-facilitator state). We decided to finalize in Texas, because we thought the cost would be less and since Ryan's adoption is fully open, it would give us a chance to visit. Texas also requires 6 months post-placement supervision, however their SW contact schedule is greater than Virginia's. That resulted in additional agency costs here in VA.

We also had to be fingerprinted, something not required in VA. They rejected 2 sets of DH's fingerprints, finally telling him to just 'run to Austin' to get them done there. Well...Austin's 1200 miles away. We were able to petition the court to waive this though by presenting both a current VA criminal and child welfare background check (trip to Richmond to get it) and the results of his recent military Top Secret clearance. *sigh*

HTH

Regina