Top Westminster, MD Hague Adoption Lawyers Near You

Are You Adopting a Child Under the Hague Adoption Convention?

If you are considering adopting a child from another country and bringing the child to the United States, meet with a Westminster Hague adoption attorney who understands the Hague Adoption Convention and can help you best prepare for the challenges of international adoption.

The Hague Adoption Convention

The United States is signatory to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Hague Convention set up standards on intercountry adoptions to safeguard the interests of children. These protections will apply in cases of international adoptions where the child’s nation of origin is also signatory to the convention. The adoption must comply with both the U.S. law and the laws of the child’s native country.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

What to Expect from an Initial Consultation

• Seek to determine whether the attorney can represent you. There is no one-size-fits-all legal solution and it may turn out your needs are better served by an attorney in a different specialization.
• It’s important to find a legal ally who is both competent in the law and someone you can trust to protect your interests.
• Discuss how the practice’s billing works and discuss possible additional charges or fees that may arise during or after the resolution of your case.

An attorney consultation should provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with legal help.

How to Find the Right Attorney

• Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
• Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
• Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Common legal terms explained

Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.