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Need some advice and help ASAP please!

tsharontsharon
in Adoption

So here's my situation:

My husband and I are expecting a baby through surrogacy, but we are NOT biologically related to this child.  My best "B" is the bio, and we used donor sperm.

So all in all, this is a "planned adoption" for lack of a better way to say it.

As far as I'm aware, this will proceed as a standard adoption.  We're about to start the home study process...we're currently gathering all the necessary documents and whatnot.  From what I gather...the lawyer is the one who will actually send the hospital forms that say we are the adoptive parents and can make decisions, will be in court on the 3rd day to terminate rights, and will file for adoption.  I'm in Virginia Beach, and one lawyer we've met with quoted FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!

 Is this a pretty standard fee?  Should I expect this, or higher/lower?

 And did anyone do the legal work themselves instead of hiring a lawyer?

Thanks in advance for any advice! 

One of my best friends ("B") offered to be our surrogate, and we're now expecting a baby in April 2013 after two cycles of natural IUI at the Jones Institute. For medical reasons, we are not biologically related to our unborn child. Yes, I guess that makes this a "planned adoption."

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Waiting for our Miracle Baby, Carly Marie, Due April 24, 2013!

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Re: Need some advice and help ASAP please!

  • lafayettegirllafayettegirl member

    Do not do the legal stuff yourself. You need a lawyer to make sure things are filed correctly, things go smoothly, and to ensure that in 10 years no one else has a claim to this child.

    All lawyers have different fees. You need to shop around - call some other lawyers and get estimated fees from each. I'm in northern VA, so I can't give you an idea of cost because lawyer fees up here are different that Virginia Beach, but I can tell you to look around and talk to more than one lawyer.

    If you find the fees are all hitting around that $5k mark, then start asking about payment options - can you pay some now and some later, etc. Lawyers may work with you on the payment. 

    You have some wiggle room here. Remember, lawyers are a service industry - you need to find someone you trust at a price you can afford. If you need help doing that, contact the VA Bar Association in Richmond.

    Good luck!!

     

    Cervical Cancer Survivor since 2007 TTC Since 2008 IUI#1 = BFN IUI#2 = BFN IUI#3 = BFN IUI#4 = BFN IVF #1 = BFN FET #1 = BFN FET #2 = BFN FET #3 = BFN IVF #2 = BFN IVF #3 = BFN FET #4 = BFN FET #5 = BFP!!! 06/10/2011 Miscarriage 06/21/2011 Adoption Application Submitted 09/2011, Personal Documents Submitted 11/18/2011, Home Visit 12/16/2011, Officially Waiting!!! 01/21/2013 MATCHED!!!! 01/24/2013 Baby Boy Born! Lilypie First Birthday tickers
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  • CaptainSeriousCaptainSerious member
    I don't have any idea what lawyers' fees typically run or what the laws of Virginia require, but I just wanted to let you know that some states require a lawyer in order to process an adoption.  Like pp, I would be wary of doing it myself anyway, but if you find yourself leaning that way, be sure to check your state laws to see if that's even a possibility.
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  • Dr.LorettaDr.Loretta member

    I agree with the pps on 2 points: find a lawyer to do this for you, and shop around. Maybe 5K is routine for this sort of thing in your area, maybe not. I can tell you that our lawyer (through our adoption agency) charged us $3500 for finalization fees for DD's adoption. And some lawyers charge just that much for a will and trust. So it's not completely out there.

    Don't DIY. If any issues come up, it could bite you in the a$$.

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  • tsharontsharon
    Thanks for all the replies!  Okay, definitely going to hire an attorney!!
    One of my best friends ("B") offered to be our surrogate, and we're now expecting a baby in April 2013 after two cycles of natural IUI at the Jones Institute. For medical reasons, we are not biologically related to our unborn child. Yes, I guess that makes this a "planned adoption."

    image
    Waiting for our Miracle Baby, Carly Marie, Due April 24, 2013!

    BabyFruit Ticker


    image
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