[.:Shortcake:.]

We were contacted by a mutual friend that's sister is pregnant and can't afford to keep the baby. She wants to give the baby to a family that she knows and have an open adoption but sign over legal guardianship without lawyers involved. Is this possible? I do not want to get my hopes up but she is due December 15th and we need to get things going. Any help would be much appriciated.

[Kari_B]

I commented on the Adoption Board as well, but wanted to wish you luck here too. I would start by contacting a lawyer.

Good luck!

[.:Shortcake:.]

Thanks Kari!

[Augie]

I agree, I would check with a lawyer. Is she in the same state as you? Also, I would want a written (legal) agreement at just how open the adoption would be.

[.:Shortcake:.]

She is in Virginia and I'm in Pennsylvania... but I don't think it is going to happen now because she won't let lawyers involved and I won't do it otherwise.

[Augie]

Yea, interstate adoptions are really difficult. (We've looked into two of them.)

Why she so against lawyers?

[tawny63]

I agree with the other ladies, without an attorney you aren't protected. The attorney is there for both of you. Our adoption was same state, but our agency told us to follow the tougher state laws if it's two states. HTH. Good luck!

[txjovigal]

Unless you were willing to do all the legwork and hope you got the legal stuff right, I wouldn't risk it.