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Lawyers' Guide through the Adoption Process and Associated Laws

Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST
Length: 90 minutes

Sponsored by Lorman Education Services


Registration for Session Only: $199.00

Registration plus Session Recording and Written Materials: $268.00
 

Description:

Gain an understanding of the adoption process and specific laws that are associated within the process.

The practice of adoption law is both rewarding but highly tricky. Helping families to adopt is a very positive experience - but ensuring that the adoption goes smoothly and is done 100% properly so as not to ever be subject to challenge is absolutely critical.

The ‘Baby Veronica’ case decided by the United States Supreme Court is a prime example of how an adoption that goes wrong can result in enormous heartbreak as well as huge attorney fees and costs. This material is a basic guide on the adoption process and associated laws but also includes some ‘war stories’ on what can go wrong and how to plan in advance to troubleshoot. The content provides a general overview of adoption law using some Virginia based examples and also includes an overview of the applicable federal statutes. You will learn….

  • Why the home study is essential in most adoptions
  • The various types of adoptions that exist and overall costs
  • How to navigate interstate adoptions
  • How to avoid ethical mishaps and conflicts of interest
  • Applicable federal statutes
  • How ongoing contact agreements work
  • The processes for terminating parental rights
Areas Covered in the Session:
  • The Home Study
  • Agency vs. Non-Agency Adoptions – Understanding the Fundamental Distinctions
  • Interstate Adoptions and Choice of Law
  • Special Types of Adoptions
  • Comparative Cost of Adoptions Depending on Type
  • The Ethical Termination of Parental Rights
  • Open Adoption and Ongoing Contact Agreements
  • Special Federal Laws Applicable to Adoptions
  • Foster Care Placements and the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 ("ASFA")

Paralegal Duties and Ethical Obligations

Credit Information (Sponsored by Lorman Education Services):

  • CLE
  • NALA
For Detailed Credit Information page click here

Only registered attendee will receive continuing education credit.

Instructor Profile:

Colleen Marea Quinn, Esq., Locke & Quinn

  • Equity owner in the firm of Locke & Quinn and owner of the Adoption & Surrogacy Law Center
  • Past-President (2016-17) and former Trustee (2007-11; 2014-18) for the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (“AAAA”). Also served as AAAA Treasurer 2018, Chair of the Finance, Revenue, Awards, and Investment Committees (2014-18), Grievance Chair (2015-16), Webinar Chair (2013-15), AAARTA Executive Council & Membership Chair (2009-15), AAARTA Founder (2009), ARTS Committee (2006-09), Birth Parent Representation Committee Chair (1999 to 2003), and published the AAAA "Representing Birth Parents Handbook" (2003)
  • Recipient of an "AV" rating by both her peers and the judiciary, the highest given, by Martindale Hubbell
  • Has represented thousands of adopting parents, birth parents, adoptees, agencies, intended parents, surrogates, gestational carriers, donors and clinics since 1989
  • Honored with top Women in the Law (in Family Law & Personal Injury 2016-18) by US News & World Report as Best Lawyers in America 2014-18, Adoption Attorney of the Year by Lawyers Monthly magazine 2018, MRWBA Women of Achievement Award 2017, Richmond NAWBO Entrepreneur of the Year award 2016, Virginia State Bar Family Law Service Award 2015, as well as many other prestigious honors
  • Co-author of the Fifth & Fourth Editions of the Virginia CLE "Adoption Procedures and Forms" book
  • Serves/has served: as program chair and speaker for numerous adoption and ART seminars/programs; an expert witness in adoption law and in surrogacy law; a certified Guardian ad Litem; a Fellow of LCA, a member of the LGBT Bar Family Law Institute, VEBA, the ABA ART, Adoption & Alternative Families Committees, ASRM, RESOLVE, AAJ, RBA, VSB and VTLA (serving as Chair/Co-Chair for many committees)
  • Founded the Raising the Bar Law Talk Show & QLC Intern Program
  • Served/serves on the AHA Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team and Boards of Girl Scouts of Virginia (Treasurer), Creating a Family, United Way Women's Leadership Council, Richmond YWCA (prior Advisory Council and President)
  • 1996 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond
  • Can be contacted at quinn@lockequinn.com or (804) 285-6253

(Not available outside the US)