Spotting and stopping adoption fraud

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Every couple, not just in the state of Texas, but everywhere, should be aware of adoption fraud. Shane Kersh, a family law attorney, has seen his share of adoption cases wherein fraud was apparent. He believes that the first step in spotting and ultimately stopping adoption fraud lies in educating people.

On that note, here are some facts on adoption fraud.

· It may come in more than one form, but the end goal of the perpetrators is always the same—to get money through illegal means.

· It is sometimes referred to as wrongful adoption.

· The main avenue of agencies and people (birth mothers, middle-men, and adoptive parents) that commit adoption fraud is purposeful misrepresentation.

· A common case of adoption fraud involves agencies that either withhold the background of a child or change the details surrounding his life, in hopes of making said child more appealing to potential adoptive parents.

Image source: Pixabay.com 
· There have been cases of birth mothers who collect advanced adoption fees from more than one couple in exchange for the promise of giving them her child. These adoption fees are normally explained as coverage of medical costs for pre-natal checkup to birthing.

In order to spot and stop adoption fraud, Shane Kersh urges couples to do their research on birth mothers as well as adoption agencies, and on the other side of that coin, for birth mothers and adoption agencies to perform thorough background checks on adoptive parents. However, if people or agencies find themselves victims of adoption fraud, it’s best that they consult with an attorney that specializes in family law.


Shane Kersh, J.D., is a family law attorney and mediator who proudly serves clients in Houston’s Harris, Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties in Texas. He has handled over 100 divorce and separation and child custody cases in the past six years. Go to this page for more family law-related tips and insights.

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