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Adoption Paralegals This article talks about Adoption Paralegals who work under the direct supervision of adoption attorneys to assist with the processing of adoptions and family law. Adoption Paralegals are certified and have membership with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). These qualifications lead to better paying positions within the legal profession.
Adoption Paralegals do the procedural legal work as authorized by law for adoptions which otherwise would be performed by the attorney. The Adoption Paralegal has had education courses and training as a paralegal which results in certification. The Adoption Paralegal usually gains experience and knowledge through assisting in adoptions overseen by an adoption attorney. Adoption Paralegals may also be called Adoption Specialists if working for an adoption agency. Within an adoption agency the Adoption Paralegal/Specialist can be trained to do interviews with prospective parents who are beginning their search for adoption. They can assist in an advising capacity to parents when completing the ‘’information packet’’ that is given to parents at the beginning of the process. The Adoption Paralegal/Specialists can answer questions as parents are in the exploring phase that can help them make a better choice about their baby. The Adoption Paralegal/ Specialist can offer special articles for the parents to read that can familiarize them and answer some questions about the process like: • • • • • •
Why adopt? Is there help with expenses financially and medically? How can we trust our child will adapt to the new home? What are the things to consider when adopting? Where do we start? There are advantages to American adoptions.
The adoption plan is created with the help of the trained Adoption Paralegal. Here are the issues in planning that the Adoption Paralegal/Specialist can walk through with
prospective parents. When working within an adoption agency there are many things that can be offered to make the process work smoothly: • • • • • • •
Select the family or mother of the baby who will provide the baby for adoption Ask the agency to select the family for you Choose to meet the family or mother of the baby Talk with the family or mother of the baby Make a choice about a closed adoption or open adoption Ask for pictures so you can see the baby Ask for assistance with any medical bills
These plans must be handled with a legal understanding that only an experienced Adoption Paralegal/Specialist can provide. Finally the baby is born and placed according to the adoption plan with the adoptive parents. This is when the legal documents are signed and the process can be different from state to state. However, the Adoption Paralegal can explain the steps and get the documents completed quickly and accurately. The work of an Adoption Paralegal can be done for attorneys completing all the necessary paper work for the adoptive parents. An alternative is to work for an adoption agency as an Adoption Paralegal where duties can expand to answering legal questions regarding the adoption process and helping to create an adoption plan with the family. The salary of an Adoption Paralegal has a midrange of $56K annually. The salaries vary based on education and experience and if the work is for a law firm or an adoption agency. The work is rewarding as you assist in putting families together.
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