North Carolina Attorney For Interstate Adoptions

Trying To Adopt A Child Across State Lines? Do You Have Questions About How To Adopt A Child From Another State? Let Our Raleigh Adoption Specialist Attorney Help You Navigate The Rewarding, Although Sometimes Torrential, Adoption Process

  • How long do adoptions usually take?
    • Every adoption is different; the timelines may vary depending on your case.
  • What’s the cost?
    • The average cost of a domestic adoption also varies; however, oversights, omissions, mistakes can dramatically increase the cost vs working with an attorney who can help ensure an efficient and successful adoption. Don’t let your money go to waste.
  • What do I have to do?
    • North Carolina has many boxes to check off as a prospective parent, we can help make sure everything is done correctly and properly the first time.

Adoption is a journey. We’ll be there every step of the way. Let us take care of the paperwork while you take care of the baby.

Adopting a child from another state is called an interstate adoption, and there are special requirements. Interstate adoptions are unique because adoptive parents must obtain permission from both states before the child can leave and go home with them. These adoptions must follow the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) rules.

Why Choose Mills Adoption Law for your Interstate Adoption Case?

  • We Only Handle Adoption – Unlike other general family law practitioners, our firm only handles adoption matters.
  • Experienced – Bobby Mills has more than 35 years of experience representing all members of the adoption triad – adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees. He has directed an adoption agency and represented agencies in licensing issues. He has also represented both adoptive parents and birth parents in contested adoptions.
  • Free 15-minute Consultation Call – During this call, we will review the details together to see how we can best help you build your family.
  • Frequent Speaker at Continuing Education Seminars – Other attorneys have learned family law aspects from us through these seminars. Get your assistance from the source.
  • Highly Reviewed & Rated – Highly rated on Google, Excellent 5-star rating on respected legal site AVVO. See some of our client reviews below.
  • Bar Certified Specialist of Family Law – There are many rigorous factors in North Carolina to become certified by the Bar. We have taken the time and diligence to meet all these standards.
  • No Adoption Is Too Difficult or Complex – This is where our firm’s experience and depth of knowledge come into play. No matter how difficult your situation may seem, we fight for you and pursue your best results with tenacity.
  • Caring & Compassionate (truly) – We have a personal connection to adoption matters. We know how nerve-wracking the process can be, and we care about your well-being. You are more than just a legal matter.
  • Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all our clients with the attention they deserve.
  • We Keep You Updated – We know transparency is important to you. We want you to know what’s happening with your case at all points in the process.

The average price of a domestic adoption in America is $32,000 or more. Don’t let your money go to waste. Contact our experienced adoption attorneys to ensure the process of building your family goes smoothly.

Ask a Question,
Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation

Call (919) 306-2899 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Don’t hesitate, your questions are welcome.

PPC Page
* Required Fields

We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.

Talk To Us - Schedule A Consultation

What does the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children do?

The purpose of the ICPC is to protect kids who move for the purpose of temporary care or adoption. There are no federal adoption laws. Each state makes their own adoption laws. The ICPC helps states work together.

For parents adopting, the ICPC creates additional hurdles to jump through before bringing their child to their home state. Even if you have consent from the biological parents, you still need approval from both states to get your child across state lines. The child’s home state has jurisdiction over the case until the adoption is final.

What happens if I don’t comply with the ICPC?

There are no exceptions to ICPC requirements. If the ICPC applies to your case, you must follow it. A judge can rescind approvals or otherwise unravel your adoption if you fail to comply with the ICPC.

What To Expect During The Placement Process

Although the process can vary from state to state, the process will generally look like this:

  • After the mother signs consents, the child is placed in your care.
  • Your home study, clearances, consents, and other placement documents are submitted for review by the ICPC administrator in the state where the baby is born, the sending state.
  • If your package is incomplete, the ICPC administrator in the sending state may request additional documents or information.
  • These requests may cause substantial delays and additional expenses.
  • After the initial review and approval by the sending state, the package is sent to the ICPC administrator in your home state, the receiving state.
  • In the receiving state, the package is reviewed again to determine whether the legal requirements of the receiving state have been met.
  • Sometimes the ICPC administrator in the receiving state may also request additional documents or information. Again, these requests may cause substantial delays and additional expenses.
  • When the ICPC administrator in your home state gives you approval to enter, the baby can go to its new home.

While this process is underway, the child is in your care in the sending state. You are waiting for approval to go home. While we cannot predict how long the process will take, we usually advise prospective parents to plan on staying in the baby’s home state for at least 2 weeks after birth. As you think about the time you’re going to be away, remember that you might be in your child’s home state for several weeks. You may need to arrange with your employer to work remotely or take adoption leave.

In most cases, you will complete your adoption weeks after introducing your child to your home. If your child has approval from the ICPC offices in both states, you can move your child immediately.

What can I do to prepare myself for the ICPC requirements?

Preparing the ICPC paperwork before you travel to take custody of your child is important. Children don’t always arrive on schedule, or you may have a last-minute match. It’s essential to do as much work as possible ahead of time, so there’s less to do while you’re away from home.

As you think about the time you’re going to be away, remember that you might be in your child’s home state for several weeks. You may need to arrange with your employer to work remotely or take adoption leave.

Talk To Us - Schedule A Consultation

Client Reviews – Mills Adoption Law

GoogleWalt Malone | Review about Mills Adoption LawMatthew Steury | Review about Mills Adoption LawVictor Campos | Review about Mills Adoption LawAvvoAvery | Review about Mills Adoption LawJohn | Review about Mills Adoption LawRead More Reviews

Actual Words our clients have said about us

“exceedingly professional, patient and helpful throughout our working with him,” “made sure we were able to do what we set out to accomplish without any hiccups,” “Mr. Mills went above and beyond to make sure it happened as quickly as it could and in a very positive way,” “I would recommend using Mr. Mills and Mills Adoption Law for anyone who needs help with adoption,” “Got more honest and good information out of Bobby Mills in 15 minutes than anyone else I talked to,” “Mr. Mills has been a wonderful attorney to work with during our interstate adoption in North Carolina,” “He is very accessible,” “Any time we had any questions he answered them immediately,” “His experience is very valuable in what could be an overwhelming process on your own,” “I felt that he always had our interests in mind and answered my texts and emails promptly,” “Bobby Mills has been with us every step of the way with our independent interstate adoption; a confusing and lengthy process that was always made easier with the help of him and his firm,” “I don’t know how my family would have made it through the adoption of our son without his guidance, help, and support.”

Talk To Us - Schedule A Consultation

Adoptive Situations We Help You With

  • Adoptions across state lines (ICPC Interstate Compact)
  • Independent, Private, Direct Adoption
  • LGBTQ+

Professional Associations

Martindale-Hubbell - Preeminent
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Board Certified Specialist
AdoptMatch - Approved

Our Location

We help build families locally in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. Clients come to us from Apex, Cary, Fayetteville, Durham, Glenwood, Five Points, Six Forks, Wade, North Raleigh, NW Raleigh, Wake County, and all of North Carolina.

What To Do Now:

We welcome your questions and want to understand your situation to help you move forward and achieve the peace of mind that comes with having everything done properly and efficiently. Don’t let everything you’ve worked for just slip away due to a lack of proper planning. Invest the time now to learn your options by speaking with us and making the choices that best protect your interests. Call us for one-on-one assistance at (919) 306-2899 with your questions and a description of your situation, or schedule a consultation. You may also simply fill out the form above on this page. Your form will be directly emailed to our office. You can expect a reply within 1 business day and often within hours of the same day. All information is confidential.

 

Pease Enter your Number For Callback

Call Request Form
Skip to content