Adopting from foreign country

Hi Moms,
I'm looking for information on adopting a child from a different country. Particularly, the child is a relative but her parents are no longer physically and financially able to care for her. They are willing to sign any legal papers necessary so we can bring her here. Can someone point us in the right direction as to what governmental agencies we need to contact? Does anyone know roughly how much it costs to go through the adoption process. Also, a recommendation for a lawyer who deals with this kind of adoption would also be helpful. We are in southern CA.
Thanks in advance

Good morning,

I did not adopt from another country but did have a friend that adopted from American Samoa. I can refer you to the adoption attorney that assisted us.

William Powell
23150 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA

310-326-4688

Mr Powell may not be the attorney to assist you but may be able to refer you to an attorney who handles foreign adoptions.

You might also want to contact the Dept of Children Services. You adoption sounds more like an independent adoption and you may not have to go thru an agency. This would keep the cost down.

Congratulations and good luck.

I think Helena gave you some great, specific, advice.

I have a friend that adopted from another country, in Africa. He recommended you check with two good agencies:

Partners For Adoption (.org) - based in California

Hopscotch Adoptions - based in TX

Good luck with this, and God bless.

just ran across this and remembered your request...it might be a good place to start asking questions...
http://www.memorialcare.org/miller/services/interAdoptPrgm.cfm