It is highly recommended that couples seeking a parental placement adoption should retain an experienced adoption attorney as early as possible.  It is also recommended that the attorney be a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. This organization is an exclusive group with approximately 300 members in the entire country. The qualifications for membership are very high and you can have confidence that any member of the Academy is a specialist in adoption and has a great deal of experience. A list of AAAA members may be obtained at the organization’s web site at www.adoptionattorneys.org Having an adoption attorney during the search process is important for several reasons.

First, prospective adoptive couples should have a clear idea of the laws that may affect their search. No one should expect to gain this information simply by reading a book or a web site. There are simply too many fine points that may arise. It is wise to have your attorney available to answer questions as they come up. No attorney can do this effectvely unless he has your file and knows your situation.

Secondly, an experienced adoption attorney can help you prepare your profile, obtain your initial adoptive home study, develop an internet site and accomplish other things you will do during the search phase.

Also, an adoption attorney will have available to him specific sources of information which may in fact form the connection which enables you to be successful. He will receive communication from other adoption attorneys about situations which might be of interest to you, and may be contacted directly by birth mothers seeking assistance in finding an adoptive family.