OK here it goes. A little boy was placed in our home a year ago by his birthmother for us to adopt.

The state of California says we need to publish in the newspaper to see if anyone (men) will come forward to claim this little boy.

We cannot afford an atty to do this because it has to be published in Texas. So we want to do this ourselves. Can we do this? Or does a atty have to?

We know we have to publish in the papers in TX.

What we don't know is what it has to say... how long to run the ad and is there anything else we have to do. I know we will have to go in front of the judge here locally and say we tried to locate the birth father.

Any help would be appreciated. We have to have everything done by the end of Feb or the state said they would deny our adoption request.

If you are wanting to adopt a child that was merely placed in the home by the mother, if you want it to be done without reasons to over turn it latter and lose the child, get an attorney

Were legal documents prepared and signed prior to the child living in your home? The State of California's Department of Social and Health Services has a adoption section within their Child Protective Services (CPS) department (may have a similar name) which can give you very clear outlines of when, why and how to accomplish the notifications. Your family and the child will be best served if you are able to at least interview with a attorney and CPS social worker/s. Documentation is vital. Best wishes

You can't afford NOT to have an attorney. Have you even priced what an atty will cost you for this?

You are making an emotional attachment to this child. How will you feel if the father shows up or the mother changes her mind? You NEED an attorney to make sure the adoption can't be overturned.

The mother isn't going to change her mind, we know that. She has signed everything needed. All we need is to place this ad in the paper. The father is unknown and there is no chance of him coming forward claiming the baby. Money really isn't an issue for an atty to do this for us. It is a lot of money at least 1500.00 for a retainer. The problem we are facing is we are in CA and the paper is in TX. We are having a problem finding one that will do it. The one that will can't due to his plate already being full.

So that's why we are doing it ourselves. I just don't know what the ad needs to say to make sure we cover all aspects. The state of CA adoption is backing us all the way... but they don't know the law either.

The father is truly unknown--or the mother is SAYING he is unknown so that the adoption can go through?

I really recommend you get an attorney for this. Having one now will be cheaper than having to get one later when the father turns up for DNA tests and takes his child back.

As Synnen said, you only know what the mother is telling you. I wouldn't trust it. I also think you need to shop around, I don't think an adoption should cost that much.