Questions to Ask an Adoption Agency or Adoption Lawyer

If you consider adoption, talk to several agencies or lawyers and ask as many questions as you need. Below are a few samples:

• What types of services do you offer, and what are the fees (if any)?
  
  
• Will I get counseling? During what time period? (Example: before the birth; after placement?)
  
  
• How will you handle obtaining the consent of the baby's father?
  
  
• Will you help pay expenses for medical care, housing, counseling, legal fees, or other?
  
  
• If I change my mind about the adoption, will I have to pay for services already received? (Note, this is illegal in most states)
  
  
• How do you find and screen prospective adoptive parents?
  
  
• What role can I play in getting to know and selecting the family who will adopt my child?
  
  
• Can I receive ongoing information about my child or be able to have direct contact after placement (if I want that option)? What services do you provide to help us stay in touch?
  
  
• How would you handle the situation if my baby was born with a disability?