American or Bulgarian Agencies?

We also live in NC and we are going with Family-NA in Sofia. So far I am very happy with there attentiveness to our case. Cost was a factor and they are reasonable.

Thanks for your reply. Family-NA is a Bulgarian agency, correct? Would you have a website for them? I imagine that you would have to hire a NC lawyer as well as a NC homestudy agency. If you like, you can pm. I hope you hear something soon about your referral! Mary

We just used Mandala out of Raleigh for Home Study and one other form and no lawyers or additional cost. Just the Bulgarian agency which was 4-5000 less than using a US and they have had referrals and got me one.

[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.

Has anyone used World Partners Adoption to adopt from Bulgaria? Or have you heard anything good or bad about them? We are on the verge of possibly signing with them but are still so boggled by who might assist us best. We contacted Toni at Dream Foundation in Bulgaria but are concerned about being able to get the tax credit if we go directly with a Bulgarian agency . . . anybody know about this?? Thanks,Melinda

Well.... I am using an agency in the States (which will remain nameless in appreciation with the wishes of the forum administrator) and I've not been too pleased with the results! I am not able to get much information from the agency and their Bulgarian contact doesn't respond to them too well. In all honesty, I get more information from the forums than I do from the agency. I will be doing this again (once I get the first one completed) and will go with a Bulgarian agency next time! There is no doubt about that one! I would suggest a Bulgarian agency rather than an American agency.

So DC-Dad, you haven't even gotten a referral yet? It has been about 4 months so far, right? Is the agency I mentioned one that you have heard about at all?

Melinda .... you have not mentioned the agency that I am using. As for the tax credit, I suggest that you consult with a tax professional. My cousin, who is my CPA, says that I could have gotten the tax credit at that time. But that is just what she tells me. I still haven't gotten a referral and now the agency isn't returning my phone calls. This is becoming very disheartening! I started to go with another agency and now I really wish I had! Dana

Okay so here I am again. NOW my husband and I are having to decide between 2 U.S. agencies because we are scared to do this for the first time directly with a Bulgaria agency. BUT how the heck do you know who is best for you? I mean DC-Dad is in a tough spot and I cannot imagine being left out in the cold with no response from your agency. So, it is down to World Partners or Tree of Life Adoption. Of the 7 people on the referral list that TOL gave me, only 1 has responded. It was favorable but their adoption was 4 years ago and much has changed in Bulgaria recently. Has anyone else used Tree of Life to adopt from Bulgaria recently? Are you finding that things are moving smoothly and you maintain good communication? Our situation is further complicated by the fact that we are moving to Canada in June for a military assignment and we will need to get a home study done there with an international social worker. Any one else had this experience? Any suggestions? Everyone on these forums is so great, so thanks in advance for any info you can provide! Melinda

Melinda, I sent you a PM regarding your agency question. Kay