AdoptHelp anyone? Other agency recommendations?

[LoriLS]

Hi there. My husband and I are just starting down the adoption road. We're almost 48 and 49 and therefore just don't have time to make mistakes in choosing an agency. I've been hearing very good things about AdoptHelp and I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with them. We're thinking that because many birthmothers would prefer younger adoptive parents, we probably need an agency that works all across the US so that we'll be able to reach the few birthmothers who would consider older adoptive parents like us. Any recommendations of agencies like this, who are also very ethical and treat birthmothers with lots of compassion, respect, and support?

Thanks so much,

Lori

[kristen308]

Hi lori,

You may want to post the state that you live in so someone can recommend a agency near you.

Another suggestion is using an adoption attorney and just have an agency do pre and post visits. We just adopted our son in October and did so via the internet. We used parentprofiles.com.  Its worth a look.

Good luck.

Kristen

[sjd314]

We use an adoption agency/referral service. The agency is small but she partners with other agencies to let us know about situations. Only $100 application fee.

Try A Little Bit of Heaven Referral.

Sara

[adopt4]

At your ages, you might also want to look at international adoption - Ethiopia in particular, as you can get infants from there and the process is fairly easy.  You can adopt up to age 50 for an infant, so get going!

I recommend WACAP for any type of adoption..

[sjd314]

We are 44 ad 56. You can also still qualify for China if you get your application in before your husband turns 50.  HOwever, China is a three year wait.

There is also China special needs which is available until your husband turns 55.  These special needs can be very minor such as cleft lip/palate.

Check out http://www.rainbowkids.com/

We got in just before Vietnam closed down and adopted our now 15 month old baby girl.  We are now pursuing our 2 adoption. We have been working with A Little Bit of Heaven as I mentioned before for this one.  If you are open to any race and gender and will consider special circumstances your ages shouldn't make a difference.

 I also belong to a great yahoo group of specifically those of us over 40 (any many over 60) adopting.  It is called gracefully aging adoptive refined parents. CHeck it out.

[MamaKara]

We looked into AdoptHelp, but they have a two year agreement...and they wouldn't tell us what happens after that two years.  If we still weren't matched after those two years, were we going to have to pay all the fees again, start the process over...etc.

We finally ended up using the Independent Adoption Center.  You can find them at www.adoptionhelp.org