Adoptive Parents In Canada | How To Choose A Private Adoption Licensee

Choosing Your Adoption Professionals:

Adoption Practitioners

Individual Licensees

Private Adoption Agencies

Ten Common Mistakes Adoptive Couples make when Choosing their Professionals

How To Choose A Private Adoption Licensee in Canada
If you were list all the ingredients that go into making a successful private adoption, having a good licensee would be somewhere near the top. Licensees refer to individuals or agencies. Individual licensees are found mainly in Ontario, and though they are often lawyers, they don't have to be. In most other provinces, a licensee is an agency.

Along with your adoption practitioner, your licensee will be your most consistent source of information, advice and support. His/her main job will be to ensure that all the laws and regulations governing adoption in your province are being followed. Among other things, his/her duties will include:

Coordinating all the documentation and the flow of information between you, the ministry responsible for adoption and the prospective birth mother or father
Ensuring that the prospective birth parents receive counselling throughout the process and independent legal advice prior to giving their consent to the adoption of their child
Placing the child with you after the revocation of consent period has expired
Taking custody and care of the child during the probationary period until the adoption has been legally finalized
Receiving the ministry's approval to the proposed placement

Before you hire anyone, contact your provincial bar association to make sure that the person you're considering is in good standing and hasn't been the subject of a complaint or disciplinary action.

Throughout the adoption process, an adoption licensee will be responsible for making sure that the best interests of the child are being met. S/he must also ensure that the rights of both the prospective parents and birth parents are protected. Although his/her fees are paid for by the adoptive parents, technically a licensee's position in the adoption is neutral.

For general advice on how the adoption process works and what your options are, you can refer to an individual licensee at the beginning of your search. For the most part, though, there isn't a lot s/he can do on the legal front until you've completed the first two steps -- the home study and finding a child.

So what makes a good adoption licensee? A good licensee is someone with whom you can talk to freely and openly. Someone who, when you ask a question, won't make you feel stupid, nervous or intimidated. Someone who's focused, organized and inspires confidence.

S/he should be experienced, but also ethical. He should also be caring and compassionate. And since, in the early stages at least, s/he'll be speaking often to your birth mother s/he should be likable as well.

Where Do You Find Him/Her?
Word of mouth is always the best test. If you know of any couples who have adopted, start with them. Then check with your provincial ministry in charge of adoption to make sure s/he's a member in good standing. As always in adoption, access is important. Call him/her up and see how easily you can reach him/her. If you leave a message, does s/he return your call personally and promptly? Is s/he available after hours? What about the support staff, are they helpful?

scales of justice When evaluating his/her services, find out:

How many years has s/he been in business?
How many (non-relative) adoptions has s/he worked on?
Is adoption his/her specialty and if not, what else does s/he do?
What's his/her philosophy?
How and why did s/he get into adoption -- does s/he have a personal connection?

Fees
Legal and administrative fees will make up the bulk of your adoption expenses, so it's important to get this information as early as possible. And preferably in writing. Remember that in addition to covering your legal and counselling fees, you'll be responsible for paying your prospective birth mother's (and father's) as well.

In discussing your licensee's fees, find out:

Does s/he charge an hourly rate or a flat rate?
Does s/he require a retainer and if so, how much?
Does s/he offer a complimentary initial consultation -- and if so, for how long?
What does s/he estimate the kind of adoption you're interested in will cost?
What happens if a prospective birth mother changes her mind and/or the adoption falls through? Are any allowances made?

No matter how vulnerable and anxious you may feel, don't sell yourself short. Remember, you're the client. You're the one paying the bills. Expect results and accountability, and don't be afraid to speak up if you're not getting them.

At the same time, be reasonable and keep your expectations realistic. Don't pressure your licensee into doing anything that would compromise his/her position or jeopardize your file. And lastly, as hard as this may be, particularly in the early stages of your situation, try not to call him/her every five minutes. This will only add to your bill and keep your licensee from doing the things s/he needs to do. If you have a simple question, contact your adoption practitioner instead.