Others seek the services of an attorney because the agencies may have a waiting list of several years. In some states the attorney or intermediary will identify a pregnant woman considering adoption, just like an agency might, while in other states it is up to the adopting parents to locate the woman. Sometimes parents adopt a child born in another state. In this case, the family must comply with the laws of both states. It is important to find an ethical and competent intermediary, one who will follow all the laws and treat everyone involved fairly.
Laws vary greatly from state to state.
Your lawyer should be familiar with what is and isn't allowed in the state. For example, in some states, it is lawful to pay the medical expenses of a pregnant woman planning an adoption. In other states, it is illegal to pay for such expenses. In other states it is illegal to pay such expenses. In all states, it is illegal to buy a baby.