details of our Hungarian adoption

I have had alot of contact from people interested in our adoption so I wanted to post the message I have been sending folks who email me. Our adoption took place almost 3 years ago. We are definitely an adoption success story!! The lawyer we used was great! [Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments] Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message. Our adoption was navigated solely by our attorney on the Budapest side. He obtained videos, medical records, interpreters, and whatever else we requested,and handled the referral process. We handled most of the paperwork; other paperwork was done by the "Paper Trail" (company) and our homestudy people. We made all our own travel arrangements. It was alot of work but well worth it. Our son Laszlo is doing great. He started public Kindergarten this year; no significant delays or any attachment issues. Only a slight speech delay at this point. We adopted him at 2.5 years old; be aware that infants are hard to come by. From the submission of the papers on the Hungarian side to getting our referral was approximately 6 months. We spent a total of two months in Budapest; both parents need to be present for certain legal meetings and for the final adoption. Cost is not as cheap as other places approx. 30,000 US. Hungary is a great health system in comparison to Russia and other Eastern European areas, but their adoption laws are stricter. We spent 2 months in Budapest. I don't know if and/or how the laws have changed since then but legal counsel could tell you more about that. If anyone has any other questions I would be more than happy to try to help. I am a little slow when it comes to replying so bear with me! Kate