[pamperedpeterson]

We are looking into adopting our 2 nephews. They are almost-5 and 3 yrs old. My sister has come to realize she can't be the mother they need, and their father is a deadbeat on the verge of losing his parental rights. Right now, the judge/courts want the parents to rehabilitate, but the next court date is March, and it looks like we will be able to start the process "in earnest" at that time.
I checked with people at church, to see if they could recommend someone, but nobody knew someone who's a family attorney. So we've turned to the yellow pages. And I realized, I have NO IDEA what to ask them!
The boys are in WA state, and we live in KY, but our official residency is in FL (we're in the military). confused?
So what questions do I ask the attorneys? Should we go in for a consultation with each of them? This is so overwhelming right now.

[mcmama]

I found the family law attorney I used post divorce in the yellow pages. It worked out better than the recommendations I followed in finding the first attorney I used, because no one had an idea of how crazy my divorce would get with my ex challenging custody.

What state is currently ruling on rehabilitating the parents? I think that is the state where you will have to file. I am not sure.

You should be meeting for initial consultations with attorneys who specialize in family law, custody, and adoption. The attorney who represents you will need to be able to practice law in the state where you have to file.

So that is your first question - where do you have to file, in one state or in two. Your second question should be about the types of cases the attorney handles - adoptions, termination of parental rights, etc. This isn't really a divorce attorney's area, although some divorce attorneys may get into it.

You need to ask what the process is, what the fees are, how much of a retainer will be necessary, and how you are billed. One thing I like about my current attorney is that she has paralegals in her office who return most phone calls and answer the emails - this way the billable hours for those are at the lower rate, not the attorney rate. This way I pay the full lawyer rate for what she does - preparing briefs, arguments, advising me on a course of action. My first lawyer ran up a huge bill with billing me at his full rate for every phone call. So smaller is not always better.

You want to know that they will answer questions, respond, and file motions in a timely and well prepared way. I would avoid anyone who markets themselves as an advocate for children who is gonna screw their dad. You want an attorney who represents you in your decision to do what is best for your sister's children, and safeguard your rights.

[QueenAngie]

No help from me as far as a family law attorney.

But High 5's for taking your two nephews. You have a big
heart and are a very caring person!

[7colie7]

If your residence is in Florida I have an excellent adoption attorny name for you. My parents adopted my "sister" when I was 15 and she was 14. Basically she had a bad family life so my parents took her parents to court for custody and they got it. The lawyer that helped them was amazing. Im also going to be using him to adopt my son (my husbands son).

[PamConnell]

The website for the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is www.adoptionattorneys.org
On their website you can click a map and get a list of member attorneys in each state. It gives their contact info and specialty. I noticed that some of them note that they specialize in Interstate adoptions. I would definitely ask questions about their experiences--some interstate adoptions might just be infant adoptions, or international adoptions where the children's agency is in a different state than the adoptive parents. An attorney specializing in these might not have experience in termination of parental rights cases or adoption from foster care (are the boys in foster care now?)

The website also has articles related to adoption law. You can also find adoption-related information in our adoption blog here at families.com.
My guess is you would be adopting in Washington since that's where the children are.
Good luck with your family--adoption is an exciting journey. Keep us posted.