Making Your Adoption Dream a Legal Reality
We aim to achieve a smooth path to becoming a parent with trusted legal support every step of the way. Our priority is clear and direct communication with you, so you can build your family with confidence.
Let us handle the legal hurdles to make your dreams of growing your family a reality.
You’ve longed to build a family through adoption, but the legal process seems daunting. Fear of delays, navigating the child placing system, or even the possibility of a failed adoption can add a whole new layer of stress.
We understand.
Juli and her experienced staff are here to navigate the legal system with compassion and efficiency. Let us turn your dream of growing your family into a reality.
How our journey began...
Juli Wisotsky’s journey began in 2010, when she was led to focus her general law practice solely on adoptions, which sparked a fire to become more knowledgeable and to help as many adopting families as possible.
For Juli, advocacy doesn’t end at the courtroom. She trains foster parents, soaks up knowledge at conferences, and even volunteers at trauma-informed parenting events.
Why this impassioned pursuit? Because for Juli, every legal victory bridges the gap between a temporary placement and a forever home. Her expertise is built on experience, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to creating strong, loving families.
Juli Wisotsky,
Counseling:
Through our work in adoption, we have networked with many resources for adoptive parents. Our office can refer you to counselors and supportive adoptive networks to help you navigate adoption, make post-adoption adjustments, or simply provide a safe space to discuss your experiences.
Training Resources:
We curate a comprehensive library of training resources for our clients. We also partner with community agencies and present training to their staff and foster/adoptive parents on specific topics such as: fostering healthy parent-child relationships, navigating cultural competency and understanding childhood trauma.
Continued Help:
Our office maintains positive community ties and can provide referrals to community resources to address specific issues such as navigating educational needs, exploring financial aid options, or connecting you with support groups. We are here to guide and support you.
Become a part of our success stories
The privacy of our clients is of utmost importance to us. Adoption is unique among legal cases, as many clients often desire to share their personal experiences. To ensure the privacy of our clients, all testimonials featured on this website were either submitted voluntarily or sourced from publicly available reviews.
Become a part of our success stories
“Juli made this complicated process very easy for us. Any questions or concerns that we had were addressed in a timely manner, and she always made herself available. She even brought all the necessary paperwork to us…
We never had to leave our house. She was a blessing to us, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.”
Frank
(Agency/Relative Adoption)
Become a part of our success stories
“Juli was so helpful and so sweet. She was very informative and stayed on top of everything. She did everything, all we had to do was literally sign papers. (adult adoption)She has such a happy and joyful personality and seems to truly love what she does. I’m so glad we found her!! Thanks again for all your hard work!!”
Brandi
(Adult Adoption)
Become a part of our success stories
“Juli fought like no other lawyer in our adoption. She was always real and down to earth with me. She never gave up and fought til my daughter was home. She is very timely and professional. She also has a great sense of humor that I love. When you meet Juli, it’s like she has been in your life the whole time. She is such a blessing to so many, and I truly cannot thank her enough for what she has done for my family.”
Linda
(Private Adoption Clients)
Become a part of our success stories
“Juli helped us complete the adoption of our foster daughter. She was extremely helpful, answered all of our questions, made sure we understood everything, and just went above and beyond to make it a great experience. Her and her staff are the best!”
Jamii
(Foster Care Adoption)
Resources and Upcoming Events
CAFO 2025 Summit
Join us at the CAFO Summit as we will explore ideas and images, scriptures and songs, presentations and prayer, companionship and conversations about what it looks like to seek this prize above any other.
Chosen For Life Ministries
Chosen for Life hosts a low-cost adoption conference each year in the Athens, Georgia area. This organization also helps families fund adoptions and has great classes to help families adjust to fostering or adopting.
GACRS
The Georgia Center for Resources and Support exists to help adoptive and foster families by providing them with the tools, guidance, and resources they need to thrive. They help families through ongoing support, ensuring that they have access to essential services, and educational programs.
Families Rising
Families Rising harnesses the power of lived experiences to offer unparalleled support. Guiding, connecting, and empowering individuals, professionals, and families on their journey through adoption, foster care, and kinship care.
Adoption is a complex process; partner with an expert.
Adoption is a complex process; partner with an expert.
1. Free Consultation:
We’ll discuss your adoption goals and outline the path forward. Start by filling out our contact form.
2. Streamlined Document Gathering:
We’ll work with you to gather necessary documents
and partner with other adoption professionals to ensure a complete court filing.
3. Expert Court Filing & Advocacy:
We handle the legalities, keeping you informed every step of the way to ensure your voice is heard in court.
4. Journey Beyond Adoption:
Our commitment extends beyond finalization. We’re happy to connect you with helpful resources as you celebrate your family’s journey.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Have any questions? Read popular answers below
What types of adoptions does Wisotsky Law handle?
Our practice includes the following types of adoptions: agency, domestic interstate, private, relative, stepparent, domestication of international adoptions, and DFCS (children in state custody).
Does Wisotsky Law handle international adoptions?
While we are able to domesticate your foreign adoption, no matter which country you adopted from, we are unable to assist you with legal issues in a foreign country. However, you may call or email the office with questions concerning international adoption and we may be able to make a referral to another attorney.
The reason to domesticate your foreign adoption is so that your child will have a birth certificate from the United States in English. This is very helpful later in your child’s life.
What about a homestudy? Why do we have to have one? What are the differences?
A home study or home evaluation is a method through which child placing agencies or the courts ensure that your home is a safe and healthy one in which to raise a child. While they can sometimes seem invasive, most social workers are very friendly and will work well with your family to do the home study quickly and efficiently.
Home studies generally involve filling out paperwork, home visits by a social worker, speaking with a social worker and showing documents such as marriage licenses, birth certificates and vaccinations of pets.
There are huge differences in the home studies necessary for international, in-state adoptions and inter-state adoptions, so you should make sure the home study you receive is the home study that you need for your situation. Home studies are generally good for one year after the home is approved. Home studies can be updated once they have been completed. If you are approaching the one year mark, it is suggested that you contact the home study agent or agency to discuss an update.
What about the federal tax credit for adoption?
Better answered by your accountant, but many families find their adoption expenses greatly offset by the federal tax credit. Here is a link with more information:
How long does the adoption process take?
Unfortunately, there is no general answer to this question, as it depends on the individual circumstances of your adoption, particularly what type of adoption you are hoping to complete.
Once all the paperwork is completed for an adoption in Georgia, the time frame is generally 45 days. If there are still parties to be notified about the adoption (if the child is not legally free for adoption) then the process can take considerably longer. We would be happy to discuss your individual situation with you and give you an estimated time frame.
Should we use an adoption facilitator?
In a word, no.
Adoption facilitators are agencies or individuals who may offer to match you with a birth parent/adoptive parent or simply to “walk you through the process of adoption.” Facilitators are separate and different from adoption agencies in that they are not licensed by the State of Georgia. While it is perfectly fine to discuss your adoption plans with friends, co-workers, pastor, etc. and to discuss potential placement situations with them privately, it is when people start talking about charging you money to match you with a situation that the caution flags should go up.
This is an emotionally charged time in your life. Please discuss any prospective dealings with a facilitator with your attorney or your adoption agency prior to paying any money for these types of services. Your attorney or licensed child-placing agency should be able to answer your questions about the adoption process, and you should not have to pay a separate individual or company for this service.
Don’t See Your Question listed here?
Choosing the right lawyer can prevent:
- Errors or mistakes that put the adoption at risk
- Delays
- Potential legal complications
Complete your family picture!
- Stay informed through the entire process
- Add one more smile to your family portrait
- And eat lots of icecream!
Get in touch with us!
