Does anyone know how much it would cost for an adoption lawyer?

Question

I made the decision to have my child be adopted when born. I have a person in mind who has proudly accepted the chance to become a mother...so how much would it cost for her if we are not using an agency?

I'm just curious if it is as expensive as some have posted, such as $15-30K?

Answer 1

If you just use a lawyer in stead of an agency it could be between $3000 & $5000 depending on what state you are in and what your lawyer charges!  In our state it would cost us about $4000.

Answer 2

No, don't be fooled.

Literally call your local courthouse, and they will direct your call or give you a phone number to call.

All you have to do is navigate the legal channels.  If you can fill out forms correctly, and be willing to follow through with the whole process from start to finish, you save a lot.

Court-costs are unavoidable.  Home-inspection is a cost that's unavoidable.  You can buy the forms or get them for free at the courthouse, or go to the website of your courthouse and print the form.

As long as no red-flags are raised about you or the adopters, its not entirely difficult..

Answer 3

It will be dependent on several things.  Are you and the adoptive family within the same state?  If not, there may be additional fees associated with filing the Interstate Compact paperwork (that allows the child to cross the state lines).  Also, you will still need to have a home study done by a reputable agency and the fees for this will be dependent on the agency used.  

I would recommend contacting a few local attorneys and asking for their fees.  If they specialize in adoption, they should be able to give you a good idea as to the costs.  However, please keep in mind that if any issues arise during the process, there could be additional fees associated with that.  

Good luck to you.  Wish I could give you a more definitive answer, but we spent over $2000 on an attorney and then had to use an adoption agency anyway because our child had special needs and the state became involved.

Answer 4

Call your local Bar Association.  They may be listed by your City name or the name of your county and ask for a "referral of at least two attorneys who can handle a private adoption." They should be able to give you the names and numbers. You will likely have to pay a very small fee for a consultation or it may even be free.  Then both of you should go meet with the lawyer and find out the price as well as your state's laws governing this type of adoption.  Fees are higher in big cities, but I think you should be able to find one for less than $15K. What city are you in?  You can also look up Attorney in the phone book, find ones advertising adoption or family law and call on the phone and ask what they charge for a private adoption. Some may give the info over the phone, some may ask for you to make an appt to discuss it.  Good luck.

Answer 5

I gave my child up for adoption and am now very close to the family and my child.  We discuss these issues now, together.  

Anyways, they did not have to pay any of my expenses while I was pregnant because I met them after I gave birth.  In most cases you have to pay ALL of the birthmothers expenses (including medical) until 6 weeks after the baby is born.

Also, the entire process for them cost around $40,000 in attorney fees.  Adoption is very expensive, but well worth the sacrafice!  I hope this helps you!

Answer 6

If you are just hiring an attorney to do paperwork and you've already chosen parents it should only cost around $5K depending on all of the circumstances. Is your baby's birthfather around to sign an adoption consent? If not, plan on tacking on more $$$ to find, him, serve him and get his rights terminated. We shelled out over $10K just to our attorney (separate from our adoption fees) for our first son due to birthfather issues. We didn't even need an attorney for our second son becuase his birthfather signed a consent, the agency took care of the rest. Call around, attorneys will give you quotes. I have a great attorney, he's in Orange County, CA though, not sure where you are.

Answer 7

Adoption laws and procedures are different in every state.  Attorney fees vary by state.  One of the cheapest is California where attorneys fees are commonly $4,000 or so.  I believe New York New Jersey and Pennsylvania are some of the most expensive.  Attorney fees in these states alone can be $20,000, not to mention all other costs to adopt.