rachhandley
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota
My husband is adopting my daughter, YAY!
When we first started this process, the court administrator for our county said that we can do most of the adoption process on our own without the need for an attorney because our case is a fairly simple one ( simple meaning: the birth father voluntarily gave up his rights and we arent dealing with any abuse/neglect issues or any issues stemming from my husband or myself) Also, the court admin. stated that we do NOT need an attorney present for the hearing and we can choose to represent ourselves if we feel comfortable. Now, I'm wondering if anyone on here has done a step-parent adoption without the use of and attorney and if so, was it fairly easy? Do the judges tell you what to do? I just have this crazy image in my mind of the court hearings you see on Law & Order!!! I'm really scared that the judge will ask me all these questions with confusing legal terms or that I will have to act as a lawyer does and use special terminology when speaking to the judge. Am I expected to 'pretend' I know how an attorney acts in a courtroom?
We are just trying to save a few bucks by avoiding attorney fees. In the long run... would I be better off if I did hire and attorney?
Thanks for any responses.
My husband is adopting my daughter, YAY!
When we first started this process, the court administrator for our county said that we can do most of the adoption process on our own without the need for an attorney because our case is a fairly simple one ( simple meaning: the birth father voluntarily gave up his rights and we arent dealing with any abuse/neglect issues or any issues stemming from my husband or myself) Also, the court admin. stated that we do NOT need an attorney present for the hearing and we can choose to represent ourselves if we feel comfortable. Now, I'm wondering if anyone on here has done a step-parent adoption without the use of and attorney and if so, was it fairly easy? Do the judges tell you what to do? I just have this crazy image in my mind of the court hearings you see on Law & Order!!! I'm really scared that the judge will ask me all these questions with confusing legal terms or that I will have to act as a lawyer does and use special terminology when speaking to the judge. Am I expected to 'pretend' I know how an attorney acts in a courtroom?
We are just trying to save a few bucks by avoiding attorney fees. In the long run... would I be better off if I did hire and attorney?
Thanks for any responses.