[Harlow]

Hi Everyone! I just found this board so I thought I'd jump in. I'm Heather, mom of 2 and expecting #3 11/24/10 through adoption.
It has been a LONG, bumpy road for us with a failed adoption in August of 09 after spending 4 1/2 days with the baby. All of our crossables are crossed that in the end this time, things are going to work out.

Hope to get to know everyone>

[Kari_B]

Welcome!

I will keep my fingers crossed that everything this time around goes smoothly!

Are you doing an open adoption?

[MarieJ]

I hope all goes well

[Harlow]

Yes, it will be an open adoption. I do have a feeling our expectant mom won't want a lot of contact after he arrives based on a few things she has said along the way, but we'll send pictures and updates and she will always be welcome to visit.

[Kari_B]

I'll be hoping for the best for you guys! Keep us posted!

[4eyes]

What agency are you using?

[Harlow]

We didn't use an agency this time, we're using a local attorney who specializes in adoption.

[4eyes]

So how do you get matched with someone without using an agency?? We are using an agency currently and looking at working with another one at the same time.

[Harlow]

Our attorney gets adoption situations sometimes and approached us about the expectant mom we ultimately matched with this time.
Honestly, I don't think I will ever use an agency again after some of the things that happened last time. I'm not speaking for all agencies, but I've seen too many in which the almighty dollar takes priority over everything.
Our atty charges a very reasonable flat fee of $5k which includes up to 40 hrs of work on the case and includes finalization. The experience with him has been far better than with the agency we were with who charged $8k to drop the ball at every turn (and Im not talking about the adoption falling through).