How do you handle an adoption on your own without an attorney?
Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at
4:14 am
My husband wants to adopt my 13 year old son, we talked to an attorney who wants 4,000 to do it. Is there a way a person can handle it themself?
IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME YOU NEED TO GET THE FORMS AND GET A HEARING IN FRONT OF A JUDGE, IT IS EASIER WITH ATTORNEY. LOOK AROUND FOR ANOTHER LAWYER TO SEE IF THEY CAN DO IT FOR LESS. GO TO HTTP://FATHERSONLINE.COM YOU WILL FIND THAT HELPFUL
no it would be illegal and your son will be taken away.
sort of fraud . jail time..
In the US? Check with legal aid, if the birth father is not contesting it legal aid might be able to help?
Check with your local family services unit; they may have a list of pro bono (free) lawyers who can help you, or they may know where else to look. Some university law schools may also be of help.
At any rate, do not attempt to do this without legal help; you may jeopardize your son’s adoption status.
Congratulations to all of you!
Best I recall there is an official process for a spouse to be able to adopt the child of the other spouse You should be able to get the information, and documentation relative to this from the Office of Births, Marriages and Deaths at your City Hall, or they could certainly tell you where.
There would be some "processing fees" – signing of some legal documents etc. But I believe this is all done directly through the court, so I don’t think a private practise lawyer has to even be involved.
You could probably handle it on your own with enough research into your state laws, but frankly, I don’t think it’s wise, because ONE SMALL mistake could void the adoption. See if you can find an attorney who will do it for less.
Get an attorney, it will be best for you and your child. The fact of the matter is that adoption is faster, easier and cheaper in some states than others. Legal fees can vary from $2,000 in California to $20,000 in New York.
Maybe you can find a low-cost lawyer through a charitable group.