What Happens if my Agency or Attorney Screws Up?

You've done your research, and still sometimes things go awry. What to do if you encounter problems during the adoption process.

A couple having a problem with adoption

If your adoption drags on and on, or if you keep getting birth mother matches or child referrals that don’t come close to your requirements, you’ll have to think about making a change.

An adoption agency or attorney should be willing to refund at least part of your fee if you raise reasonable concerns that it hasn’t been earned. Generally, procedures are in place to settle fee disputes. If no other avenue is successful, consider a lawsuit, bearing in mind the high expense (and aggravation) of litigation.

The first step is to look at the contract governing your relationship. Under what circumstances are fees refundable? Has the professional performed the services agreed upon? What does the agreement say will be done if an adoption doesn’t happen? How will fee disputes be handled?

If your adoption professional is an attorney, rules of professional conduct govern his or her practice. Each state has rules similar or identical to the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Model Rule 1.5 prohibits a lawyer from collecting an “unreasonable fee.” Factors that determine whether the fee is reasonable include time, labor, and expenses involved — and results obtained. A fee can’t be reasonable if nothing’s been done to earn it. This common-sense proposition should hold true, no matter who is being paid to handle an adoption. Each state has a grievance commission that investigates complaints filed against attorneys, and a mechanism to impose disciplinary measures if violations are found. Contact your state bar association or state supreme court to find out where to file a complaint or request an investigation of an attorney’s behavior.

Similarly, an adoption agency is regulated by its licensing entity, which investigates and processes complaints, and has the ability to suspend or revoke the agency’s license to do business. In most states social workers are licensed, too. The licensing entity may be the state’s department of social services, department of consumers and industry, or some other board or department.

If you have been working with an adoption facilitator, you will have to negotiate a mutual agreement. They are unlicensed and unregulated, and you have no recourse if things go wrong.



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Adoption Attorneys

Attorney Name
C.J. Lyford
City
Lafayette Hill
PA
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn, U.S. Foster, International, Special Needs/Waiting Child
Practice State(s)
PA
TruAdopt Law
Attorney Name
Celeste E. Liversidge
City
Pasadena
CA
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn
Practice State(s)
CA
Fiddler Osband LLC
Attorney Name
Rachel Osband
City
Edina
MN
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn, U.S. Foster, International, Special Needs/Waiting Child
Practice State(s)
MN
Adoption Legal Services of Oklahoma
Attorney Name
Charles Watts
City
Oklahoma City
OK
Adoption Routes/Programs
U.S. Newborn, U.S. Foster
Practice State(s)
OK

See all adoption attorneys >


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