Choosing the right adoption professional can make or break your adoption experience. If you're an expectant parent making an adoption plan for your child, you need to know which questions to ask and the sort of answers you should be looking for. Start with these five questions:
This may seem obvious, but sometimes, adoption professionals may conceal their true identity or entity. Before ever completing paperwork, agreeing to work with the professional, or paying any fees, you should understand the fundamental information about the organization and the individual you’re speaking to. You can ask questions like:
What is your first and last name?
Where are you located?
Where is your business incorporated?
What is the full name of your company or organization?
What websites do you own?
Having the exact information about who you are working with is an essential first step in the process. Use AdoptChange’s Provider Search Tool to help you find this exact information about adoption professionals.
It can also be hard to determine what kind of "adoption professional" you're dealing with. You need to know whether they're a licensed adoption agency, an attorney, or an unlicensed baby broker (sometimes called "marketer," "facilitator," or advertiser"). Thankfully, baby brokers are illegal in 32 states, but unfortunately, they are still all over the internet, trolling for expectant mothers who are looking for adoption information and support. As we explain more fully below, when choosing an adoption professional, make sure you choose a licensed adoption agency or attorney who is located and licensed in your state. You can ask questions like:
Do you have a license to place children for adoption? If so, in which states are you licensed to provide adoption services?
Do you have a license to practice law? If so, in what states are you licensed?
The AdoptChange Provider Search Tool also lists the categories of each adoption professional and shows you whether they are an adoption agency, attorney, or unlicensed broker.
This is a key question when it comes to lawyers. Each party to an adoption should have their own lawyer (at no cost to the expectant mom) from the very beginning of the adoption - not just when it comes time to sign consent paperwork. Because adoption is such an important legal process, you should have all of your questions answered by your own attorney before signing any adoption paperwork.
Is the adoptive parents’ attorney requesting that they represent both parties simultaneously? That’s a massive conflict of interest. The adoptive parents’ lawyer is not the right person to advise you. They are required to put the adoptive parents' interests above yours. Make sure you consult with your own lawyer, who will guide you through the adoption process and answer all your questions in a confidential setting.
Here is how you can approach the topic when meeting with an attorney:
"Who do you represent in this adoption?"
If the attorney says they represent the adoptive parents: "I understand that you are the adoptive parents' attorney. While I appreciate your willingness to assist, I would feel more comfortable having my own independent attorney to advise me to insure no conflict of interest arises. Could you provide me with referrals to attorneys who separately represent me?"
If the attorney suggests that they will be able to represent both you and the adoptive parents: "I understand that dual representation might be convenient, but I'm concerned about potential conflicts of interest. To ensure that my rights and interests are fully protected, I would prefer to have my own attorney who can provide unbiased advice. Thank you for understanding."
A word of caution: Don’t take legal advice from your social worker. As knowledgeable and caring as your social worker may be, they’re not a lawyer and not qualified (or even allowed) to give you legal advice.
Are you looking for an adoption attorney? AdoptMatch partners with attorneys who follow our Guiding Principles. Check out the AdoptMatch Partner Directory to find an adoption attorney who is licensed in your state and can provide you with the guidance you need.
When considering adoption as an expectant parent, it’s crucial to understand the kind of services you will receive from different adoption professionals. Legitimate adoption agencies and attorneys offer a range of essential services to support expectant parents and adoptive parents throughout the adoption process and beyond. If an adoption professional’s only focus is on making a match and collecting fees, they may not prioritize the well-being of and support offered to the parties impacted by adoption, potentially leading to a lack of essential services, guidance, and protections that are crucial for a successful and ethical adoption process. What kind of services should be offered by licensed adoption professionals?
Services: Licensed Adoption Agencies
Services: Licensed Attorneys
Beware of Unlicensed Adoption Brokers
Unlike licensed adoption agencies and attorneys, unlicensed brokers don’t provide any necessary services for adoption. They’re also not qualified to provide the comprehensive support needed during the adoption process. While claiming to provide adoption services, these entities or individuals actually focus solely on matching expectant parents with adoptive parents without providing the necessary counseling, guidance, or post-adoption support.
When seeking adoption services, always verify the credentials and licensing of the professionals you’re considering. Legitimate and reputable adoption agencies and attorneys should always be transparent about their qualifications and the specific services they provide. What kind of questions should you be asking professionals about the adoption services they provide?
Adoption is a legally complicated process. But more than that, adoption is a very emotionally complex decision that will affect you for a lifetime. To protect yourselves and your child from being treated as commodities, you must work with ethical and licensed adoption professionals.
Both expectant parents and prospective adoptive parents need to be informed about the amount of money being exchanged in the adoption process. You can tell a lot about an adoption professional by whether they’re willing to be open and honest about their fees. Adoption is a complicated process that requires lots of paperwork, making it expensive for adoptive parents. But it’s no secret that some adoption professionals (even licensed agencies and attorneys) take advantage of adoptive parents by charging them unreasonably high fees for the work they do. Professionals who overcharge for their time, especially in adoptions, aren't trustworthy and don't deserve to be involved with your adoption. Talking about money can be awkward; here are some questions that can help you dig deeper with the adoption professional:
The Bottom Line When Choosing an Adoption Professional
Here's the minimum of what you should expect from ethical adoption professionals:
Navigating the adoption process is challenging, but choosing the right professional ensures a positive experience. Asking the right questions and seeking out reputable and licensed agencies and attorneys will allow you to protect yourself and find the support you deserve.
Stay informed and advocate for yourself throughout the process. By doing so, you can navigate the complexities of the adoption process with confidence, knowing that you have a trustworthy, qualified team to guide you every step of the way.