Criminal Defense Lawyers

Adoption Scam Defense Attorneys

A Goal to Put an End to Adoption Fraud

There are far too many “adoption horror stories” around that can dissuade potential parents from adopting. One cause of this darker side of adoptions is the presence of scammers, con artists, and other perpetrators of scams who abuse the system and take advantage of people and, most unfortunately, innocent children for their own personal gain.

To minimize or prevent adoption scams, there are lengthy and complex procedures involved in the adoption of a child. In some situations, the scam might include the birth mother-to-be, the adoptive parents, or even the adoption professionals, and it is critical to stay vigilant and look out for indicators of a scam. On the other side of the coin, if you’ve been charged with fraud or you’re the subject of an investigation for an alleged adoption scam, it would behoove you to contact a well informed, federal defense attorney to defend your case in federal or state court.

Adoption Fraud Legislation

Many states do not have particular laws with regards to adoption fraud or various adoption scams. Nevertheless, many states will go after these scammers and charge them with crimes of theft by deceit, which can spell decades of incarceration, if convicted. The job of the “fake” adoption is to swindle money out of families by preying on their emotions and hopes to get a  child.

The most common kinds of adoption include infant adoptions, state and court ward adoptions, relative adoptions, stepparent adoptions, international and interstate adoptions, and adult adoptions. Each of these kinds of adoption holds the potential for different scams, and because of this, it is exceedingly difficult to draft an all-inclusive law to address adoption fraud.

Examples of Adoption Scams

Adoption fraud is not a simple thing to spot, which is the reason that it can be an attractive option for con artists and scammers. On the other hand, scammers frequently leave multiple clues that can point to something untruthful or illegal that is taking place. 

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

For starters, hopeful parents-to-be should be aware of some of these red flags:

• You receive unsolicited contact
• The other party fails to answer phone calls or emails
• Suspicious pressure to hand over money
• Suspicious pressure to sign documents
• There is no proof of pregnancy
• The other party declines the presence of a lawyer, adoption agency, or counselor

Sadly, when parents are preparing to adopt a child, they often have so much on their minds and can easily overlook some of these red flags. Therefore, it can be helpful to look at examples of typical adoption scams:

1. An adoption agency levies excessive fees or accepts payments for services that they never performed
2. An adoption facilitator purposely neglects to inform prospective adopting parents about a child’s physical, emotional or developmental challenges
3. A pregnant mother-to-be posts a notice for adoption and takes funds from several families without truly intending to put her child up for adoption
4. A who is not pregnant woman poses as a mother-to-be and accepts money from several families
5. A person attempts to sell a baby for money (this can involve child trafficking)

What Should I Do If I Am Under Investigation or Arrest for Adoption Fraud

Adoptions can generally be emotionally charged and financially intensive situations.  it is critical to have an attorney present throughout the adoption procedure. That said, things can go wrong in the course of the adoption, and in some cases, an individual may have been acting in good faith and had no intention to scam anyone or commit fraud.

If you learn that you’re under investigation or you got arrested for theft by deception, then you need to reach out to a criminal defense lawyer with experience in adoption fraud. If you are found guilty, you could be looking at years behind bars and massive fines. 

Some legal strategies that can be used in the courtroom include:

• Bringing the prosecution’s narrative, evidence, and witnesses into question
• Arguing that your conduct and actions were all in good faith
• Demonstrating that you had no intent to commit fraud