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Getting a handle on legal fees

maryoosamaryoosa member
in Adoption
Just met with a potential lawyer who quoted us $6500.00 for adoption paperwork. We are working through an agency, and this is an agency assisted or traditional agency adoption. Our paperwork would be filing icpc if needed, the paca, and doing finalization.  Does this seem reasonable? I live in a large  expensive metro area. 
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Re: Getting a handle on legal fees

  • MayDayGirlMayDayGirl member
    Wow! Ours was around 1000 in Chicago!
    Married on 3.20.2004. It took 30 month, 2 failed adoptions and IVF for our first miracle. We have had 9 foster kids since he was born and started the domestic adoption process when he was 10 month old, we had 4 failed matches in that time. After our daughter was born we brought her home and spent 2 weeks fearing we might lose her because of complications that came up. But Praise God all went through and she is ours forever! Expecting again after IVF Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • Dr.LorettaDr.Loretta member
    We paid $4500 for legal work for TPR and finalization (no ICPC). So it doesn't sound out of the realm of reason to me
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  • annaliselannalisel member
    We are in an expensive metro area and we've been quoted $6000-8000 in estimated legal fees for independent adoption. 
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  • IRRIRR member
    I think we live near each other and I HATE these lawyers.  But yes it does sound like what they charge in this area.  I would call a few just so you know for sure and let them know you are using an agency too.  I had one lawyer that wanted to charge me $600 just for me to see if I liked him.  Thanks but no thanks.  The price you are being quoted is about 2/3 the cost if you didn't use an agency at all.  I would ask them what their hourly rate is as well and see how many hours they think it will take.  Also does your price include the court fee or is that just the legal fees.  Make sure you ask everything upfront so you don't get caught with any surprises.
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    Moved on to  gestational surrogacy with a family friend who is our angel and due 7/23/15


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  • maryoosamaryoosa member

    It includes the court fees. But my agency is telling me if we have a child born out of state that we'd need to finalize in that state and hire a lawyer there for finalization...

     

     

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  • IRRIRR member
    imagemaryoosa:

    It includes the court fees. But my agency is telling me if we have a child born out of state that we'd need to finalize in that state and hire a lawyer there for finalization...

     

     

    That is true and actually a blessing.  Our IL lawyer was $2000, vs. the NY/NJ/CT lawyers, so don't worry about the finalization until you know what state your LO will be coming from.  (This did not include court fees, I think those were another $600).

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    Moved on to  gestational surrogacy with a family friend who is our angel and due 7/23/15


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  • crene84crene84 member
    We paid $3,500 for our attorney fees and then we got our BM her own attorney for an extra $1,500.  This is near Raleigh, NC.
    Married Since 09/2006, TTC Since 09/2010 
    DX: Unexplained infertility, DH normal 
    3 Femara cycles - Oct, Nov, Dec 2011, all BFNs 
    IVF #1, ER 2/15 (5R, 4M, 4F), ET 2/18, Beta 2/29 = BFN :( 
    Follistim + IUI on 6/25 = BFN 
    Home Study Finalized 8/14/12! Profile Active - 8/17/12! 
    Officially Matched 8/29/12, Our perfect angel born 9/25/12! 
    Biggest surprise ever, unexpected BFP on 4/12/13! 

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  • maryoosamaryoosa member

    OK. So then I'm totally confused about what I need a lawyer for ---

     

    If the LO comes from out of state, the finalization is done there, the agency takes care of ICPC--- what am I paying one for? 

     

    Marisa 

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  • IRRIRR member

    You will need to go to court in whatever state you are finalizing in and will need a lawyer for that.  You do NOT need a local lawyer if you are working with an agency.

     

    By local I mean one where you live.

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    Failed Matches - December 2012, May 2013, December 2013
    Moved on to  gestational surrogacy with a family friend who is our angel and due 7/23/15


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  • Dr.LorettaDr.Loretta member
    imagemaryoosa:

    OK. So then I'm totally confused about what I need a lawyer for ---

     

    If the LO comes from out of state, the finalization is done there, the agency takes care of ICPC--- what am I paying one for? 

     

    Marisa 

    My guess is "the agency" = lawyer they have to do ICPC. And a lawyer is needed for finalization. unless I'm misunderstanding the question.

    When in doubt, ask the agency for details. Ours laid out specifically what the fees were for, and how they were broken down, even for the lawyer. And when we finally got to that stage, we had to fill out a ton of paperwork just for the lawyer

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  • silliestbunnysilliestbunny member

    DD1 we paid $3500 but there was no need for ICPC.

     

    DD2 we paid two lawyers-- $3500 and $1500.

    We are in Southern California.  I'd call around.  I'd also check the QuadA listings for adoption attorneys so you are getting someone who knows their "stuff". 

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  • CaptainSeriousCaptainSerious member
    imagesilliestbunny:

    We are in Southern California.  I'd call around.  I'd also check the QuadA listings for adoption attorneys so you are getting someone who knows their "stuff". 

    Silliest, what are the QuadA listings? 

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