adoption without a lawyer

[manna1084]

there are websites that claim to give all the forms and instructions for a private adoption, without the need for lawyers. They also say it is 100% safe and trusted.
We are adopting a 3 year old from a friend's sister who cannot care for her.
Is this a good idea, a safe idea?

 

[Proserpina]

there are websites that claim to give all the forms and instructions for a private adoption, without the need for lawyers. They also say it is 100% safe and trusted.
We are adopting a 3 year old from a friend's sister who cannot care for her.
Is this a good idea, a safe idea?

No matter where you are located, this is NOT a good or safe idea.

Even IF all parties - including the father - are on board with the idea.

Save up the money and get an attorney.

Adoption is rarely a do-it-yourself protect.

 

[Just Blue]

there are websites that claim to give all the forms and instructions for a private adoption, without the need for lawyers. They also say it is 100% safe and trusted.
We are adopting a 3 year old from a friend's sister who cannot care for her.
Is this a good idea, a safe idea?

Frankly if you can not afford to have an attorney advise you...You likely should not adopt.

 

[las365]

Frankly if you can not afford to have an attorney advise you...You likely should not adopt.

I'm not sure where you are coming from with this, are you referring to the legal battles that may result from this proposed adoption in the future, or making a general statement that only people with lots of money should adopt? Because if the first, I would agree and if the second, I don't think I necessarily would.

In any event, this proposed adoption sets off all sort of alarms. Where is the child's father? Why is it that the child's mother can't care for her, and what happens when mom decides that she has gotten it together and wants her child back? Where is the child currently living?

In my opinion, this is a situation in which not only do the prospective adoptive parents need an attorney, they should insist that the mother (and probably the father) be represented as well. It would help defend future post-adoption allegations that the mother didn't understand what she was doing, thought it was a temporary guardianship, etc.