If you are a prospective birth parent seeking a loving home for your child, the three most important qualities you need in your adoption attorney are experience, compassion, and trust.
Laurie is dedicated to the highest standard of practice in the field of adoption law. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in adoption matters. Laurie understands, however, that birth parents require and deserve more than just a knowledgeable and experienced adoption attorney. She provides not only legal but also emotional support and guidance to all of her clients to help them through the adoption process. She is available to her clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Laurie cannot say that the adoption process is always easy - it can be complicated and emotional. Laurie will guide you through every step of the adoption process and help you in every way possible.
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May I choose the parents for my baby?
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Yes, the birth mother chooses the adoptive family for her baby. Our office will work with you to help you choose the best family for your child and answer any questions you may have about the family.
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How much can I find out about the adoptive parents?
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Prospective adoptive parents usually prepare a "profile" which consists of an autobiography and photographs of themselves and their families. The profile enables you to learn personal information about the prospective adoptive parents including information about their families and friends, their other children, their relationship, their hopes and dreams for a family and much more. You can also speak with the prospective adoptive parents over the telephone as often as you wish and can even arrange to meet in person.
As a birth parent, you are also asked to provide background information about yourself to the adoptive family that you select. You complete paperwork that will provide the prospective adoptive parents with information regarding your family and health history. This directly benefits your child that you place for adoption. The information that you provide has lifelong benefits for your child.
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In addition to my personal opinion about whether a particular family is the right one to adopt my child, what other assurances do I have that the prospective adoptive parents are suitable parents?
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All prospective adoptive parents must undergo an investigation by either a licensed social worker or licensed adoption agency prior to adopting a child. Prospective adoptive parents must provide the investigating agency or social worker with their fingerprints, detailed financial, social, and employment histories, copies of tax returns, reports of medical examinations, and letters of reference. The investigating entity must also visit the prospective adoptive parents in their home to make sure that the home is suitable for a child. The investigating entity also checks the prospective adoptive parents' backgrounds to determine if they have any criminal records or history of child abuse before they recommend them as adoptive parents. As your attorney, I will ensure that the investigating entity has approved the prospective adoptive parents for adoption of a child before you proceed with an adoption plan for your child.
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I have living expenses and medical bills. Who will help me with my bills?
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All states have specific laws regulating the payment of a birth mother's expenses and medical bills in connection with an adoption. In some states, the laws allow prospective adoptive parents to provide the birth mother with reasonable financial assistance that is directly related to her pregnancy and delivery of the child. We can provide you with more information about the financial assistance you may receive when we know what states are involved in the adoption and the laws of those states regarding the payment of your expenses.
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Does the birth father have rights? What if I don't know where he is or who he is?
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Yes, the birth father has rights. Each state has its own laws regarding the legal rights of the birth father. If you know who the birth father is, we may need to try to contact him and inform him of your adoption plan. It is best for the child if the birth father participates in the adoption process in a constructive manner and provides as much background information about himself including his medical history. Each and every adoption situation is different and we will help you find the most appropriate way to handle your situation with the birth father of your child so that you are protected and all laws are upheld.
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How much contact will I have with the adoptive parents and my child after I place my child for adoption?
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You, together with the adoptive parents of your child, will decide how much contact you will have with them and the child after your adoption placement. Some birth parents decide that they do not want to have any contact after the adoptive parents take custody of the child. Other birth parents would like periodic pictures and perhaps a letter or two each year about the child's progress. Some birth parents and adoptive parents maintain contact for years.
We will help you select adoptive parents who are willing to provide the contact you desire. It is sometimes a matter of compromise as to what degree is acceptable to all the parties so that everyone is comfortable with the openness of the adoption. We will encourage you to decide what degree of contact you want and the frequency of that contact before you select an adoptive family.
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Can I receive counseling regarding my decision to place my child for adoption?
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We always encourage birth mothers to receive counseling about the decision to place a child for adoption. Some states require counseling for the birth mother. We believe that counseling enables a birth mother to work through the emotions involved with placing her child for adoption and helps better ensure a positive adoption experience. The cost of adoption counseling, if not covered by your insurance or Medicaid (if you have either), may be paid for by the adoptive parents.
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Can I place my child with a family that lives in another state?
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Yes, you can. The adoptive parents you choose can live anywhere within the United States (and even in another country). The prospective adoptive parents will come to your state to meet you and to take custody of the baby you will place for adoption. If you wish, they can even try to be there for the delivery. There are certain laws with which we must comply in order for a baby to leave the state of birth and enter into another state. We will make sure that the adoptive parents adhere to the laws of all the states involved in the adoption.
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I do not have money to pay for an attorney? Can I still retain you to represent me in the adoption?
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You do not have to pay my fee for representing you. The adoptive family who will adopt your child is responsible for the payment of my fees. All services I provide to birth parents are at no charge to the birth parents. You will not be asked to pay me for my time or effort on your behalf.
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