--- title: If Adoption Laws Are On The Books, Why Do I Need an Adoption Attorney? description: Even though adoption laws are on the books, adoption is governed mostly by case law. An adoption attorney helps you navigate the process. image: https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Adoption_Attorney_thought_bubble.dib --- ![holding-hands-918990_960_720-2](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg?width=959&name=holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg "holding-hands-918990_960_720-2") # Family Connections, Inc. Blog #### Let us help you. # [If Adoption Laws Are On The Books, Why Do I Need an Adoption Attorney?](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/why-do-i-need-an-adoption-attorney) ![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg) ### Categories - [adopt a child (88)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopt-a-child) - [adoptees (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptees) - [adopting older children (6)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-older-children) - [adopting the older child (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-the-older-child) - [adoption (230)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption) - [adoption attorneys (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-attorneys) - [adoption choices (71)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-choices) - [adoption costs (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-costs) - [adoption dossier (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-dossier) - [adoption from foster care (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-from-foster-care) - [adoption help (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-help) - [adoption information (49)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-information) - [adoption law (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-law) - [adoption options (73)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-options) - [adoption paperwork (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-paperwork) - [adoption profile (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-profile) - [adoption questions (17)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-questions) - [adoption resources (24)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-resources) - [adoption services (97)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-services) - [adoption support (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-support) - [adoptive families (43)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-families) - [adoptive family (40)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-family) - [adoptive parent (39)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parent) - [adoptive parents (13)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parents) - [affording adoption (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/affording-adoption) - [Belize Adoption (9)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/belize-adoption) - [Binghamton (36)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/binghamton) - [birth families (15)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-families) - [birth family (11)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-family) - [birth mother (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-mother) - [birth parent (72)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-parent) - [Bulgaria Adoption (10)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/bulgaria-adoption) - [creating a profile (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/creating-a-profile) - [domestic adoption (106)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/domestic-adoption) - [expedited (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/expedited) - [families waiting to adopt (20)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/families-waiting-to-adopt) - [Family Connections, Inc. 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[transition (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/transition) - [Ukraine adoption (8)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/ukraine-adoption) - [unplanned pregnancy (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/unplanned-pregnancy) - [what is a home study (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/what-is-a-home-study) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Popular Stories [Writing Adoption Reference Letters](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/writing-reference-letters-for-adoption) Aug 18, 2015 [What Names Do You Put In The Aka Or Alias Section Of Forms?](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/what-names-do-you-put-in-the-aka-or-alias-section-of-forms) Mar 22, 2016 [Writing Adoption Reference Letters: Tips and Examples](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/writing-adoption-reference-letters-tips-and-examples) Jan 23, 2024 [Adoption Reference Letters - How To](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-reference-letters-how-to) Dec 18, 2015 [Common Terms in Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/common-terms-in-adoption) May 17, 2016 Categories | Subscribe | Populars - ** - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fwhy-do-i-need-an-adoption-attorney) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fwhy-do-i-need-an-adoption-attorney) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/why-do-i-need-an-adoption-attorney) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fwhy-do-i-need-an-adoption-attorney) Written by Jessie McNaughton on November 24, 2015 Adoption, whether it is [domestic](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/167660/Domestic-Adoption-Options-for-Adoptive-Parents) or [international](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/the-miracle-of-family-adopting-internationally) is the complex legal process of transferring the legal custody of a child from one person (or institution) to another.  Some people wonder if avoiding the cost of an [adoption attorney](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/adoption-attorneys) is a good way to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.**  Adoption laws are on the books, so why do they need a lawyer? ** Can’t they look up the laws themselves and make sure they follow them?  ![Adoption Attorney](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Adoption_Attorney_thought_bubble.dib "Adoption Attorney")   The answer is complicated.  It is true that the laws are on the books, but like many legal processes, the laws governing the adoption process have changed over the years due to case law.  Case law is law that is based on decisions that judges have made in past cases.  Many times, laws on the books take time to catch up to case law.  Additionally, the [Interstate Adoption and Interstate Compact on Placement of Children (ICPC)](http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/aaaa/adopting-parents/interstate-adoption-and-interstate-compact-on-placement-of-children-icpc) as well as the [Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption](http://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/hague-convention.html) governs certain adoption processes.     If one was to try to navigate the legal portions of adoption alone using laws on the books, they would be operating with limited information.  In order to find and interpret the relevant case law, one would practically need to go to law school.  Adoption lawyers are well-versed in adoption law.  They can walk you through the process and ensure that every step of the way everything is done legally and correctly.  While it is tempting to consider avoiding hiring an adoption lawyer during your adoption process, it would be a huge mistake.  It may also be tempting to ask your family lawyer to work on the adoption process for you for a lower fee than an adoption attorney.  Unless your family lawyer is well-versed in adoption law and a member of the [American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA),](http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/aaaa/home) he/she may need to conduct extensive research into laws impacting on your adoption and thus may in the end cost you more than an attorney who is an expert in adoption.  We have seen families try to go it alone and try to use an attorney who is not part of the AAAA.  In both types of cases, many mistakes were made which could have easily been avoided by hiring a qualified adoption attorney.  These mistakes ended up costing these families months and months of time and thousands of dollars.   In the end, there is a very good chance you will end up making many mistakes without sound legal advice.  Fixing those mistakes is costly as well as time consuming.  **While it is tempting to try to cut down costs with a DIY approach, we do not suggest it.**  We cannot stress the importance of a good lawyer enough.  It is worth every penny to get your child home as quickly and easily as possible with the right legal support. ---  [![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/159841/cd2b9432-8da6-46c9-a9be-660e780979f9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/159841/cd2b9432-8da6-46c9-a9be-660e780979f9)   ![Subscribe](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/99%20Template%20Pack/Background%20Images/message.svg "Subscribe") ### Subscribe to Stay Connected ### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. ### You may also like: ## [Adoption Home Study Visit and What to Expect](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect) Understand and prepare for your adoption home study visit to ensure a smooth adoption process. ## [Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption: Understanding the Difference](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/open-adoption-vs.-closed-adoption-understanding-the-difference) What is the difference between open and closed adoptions ? ## [Ways to Discuss Adoption with Your Child](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/engaging-ways-to-discuss-adoption-with-kids) Discover effective strategies for sharing the story of adoption with your children, ensuring a nurturing and open family... ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2432204/hubfs/99%20Template%20Pack/newsletter_bg.jpeg?width=2000&name=newsletter_bg.jpeg) ## Subscribe to Stay Connected There is always more to learn when it comes to adoption! ### Subscribe to Email Updates    [I'm Pregnant](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/im-pregnant/) / [Waiting Families](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/waiting-families/) / [I Want to Adopt](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) / [Resources](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/resources/) / [Our Staff](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/our-staff/) / [Contact Us](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/contact-us/) / [Blog](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/)    Call Today!  607-756-6574   © 2019 Family Connections, Inc. 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