Jeanine Castagna is an attorney with over twenty years of experience in the adoption field. Her practice is devoted exclusively to forming families through adoption. She has helped thousands of couples and individuals realize their dreams and build their families. Whether you are a prospective adoptive parent or birth parent seeking a loving home for your child, Jeanine will provide you with personal and compassionate attention to secure an ethical, legal adoption plan.
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Jeanine is nationally recognized for her adoption expertise. In 2008, she was recognized by Congress with an Angels in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
She is a proud Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAAA), which is an invitation-only organization with approximately 350 attorneys throughout the United States who have demonstrated expertise in the complexities of adoption law.Though it is a legal proceeding, adoption is emotionally charged.
She is a proud Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAAA), which is an invitation-only organization with approximately 350 attorneys throughout the United States who have demonstrated expertise in the complexities of adoption law.Though it is a legal proceeding, adoption is emotionally charged.
Domestic adoptions involve placements of children born in the United States with U.S. families. Private Adoptions (also known as Independent Adoptions)- are birth parent to adoptive parent, without an agency or intermediary responsible for overseeing the placement or taking custody of the child.
In private adoption, the child is usually placed in the physical custody of the adoptive parents immediately after birth, rather than temporarily placed in interim care.Anyone that meets the legal requirements can adopt independently, regardless of marital status, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
In private adoption, the child is usually placed in the physical custody of the adoptive parents immediately after birth, rather than temporarily placed in interim care.Anyone that meets the legal requirements can adopt independently, regardless of marital status, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
You are entitled to receive legal guidance that is free of judgment from a compassionate attorney who can empower you to understand the full range of options available to you and your child. The decision to place your child for adoption can be agonizing and there may be few people in your life that understand.
Many families find themselves parenting, raising and loving children who are biologically and legally related to partners from prior relationships. Parents in this role may desire that their legal status match the value of their actual critical role in a child's life.
Securing stepparent parental rights can be critical for a child's legal security, emotional well-being, financial future, and to equalize status among siblings raised in the same home.I would be happy to discuss whether your situation lends itself to establishing parental relationships with children in your care.
Securing stepparent parental rights can be critical for a child's legal security, emotional well-being, financial future, and to equalize status among siblings raised in the same home.I would be happy to discuss whether your situation lends itself to establishing parental relationships with children in your care.
We have known Jeanine for over five years. She helped us with both of our adoptions. Both were very different, but Jeanine was with us every step of the way! She is a fabulous lawyer who is not only professional, knowledgeable, but really gets to know you, cares about you and supports you. She always made time for you no matter how big or small the question was.
Reviews (16)
Maryann Johanson
Jan 17, 2022
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When you make one of the biggest decisions of your life and you are going to need someone to represent you, you want to make sure the right person is going to guide you along the way. We had zero hesitation after being introduced to Jeanine through an adoption support group. We only ever heard positive feedback about her as both an attorney and person. During our consultation we were sure she was the right choice to be our guide and represent us as we made the decision to move forward and try to adopt. We hit some road bumps along the way from our certification to finalization-none of them being
Ehren Milillo
Jan 04, 2022
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I really can't say enough good things about Jeanine, she cares, she's responsive, EXTREMELY knowledgeable and kind. What stood out the most to my husband and I was that everyone that we dealt with through our process of private adoption always had amazing things to say about her. There was never any back and forth about paperwork or miscommunication. My family is very appreciative of the work she's put in for us during our adoption journey for our son and we couldn't recommend her enough to any other families out there looking for a professional who can help you through your adoption process. She
James L.
Nov 18, 2021
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We started researching private adoption in the summer of 2011. Our first contact was to a family friend who is an adoption social worker and adoptive parent as well. She told us that we needed a lawyer, preferably one who specializes in adoption and highly recommended Jeanine Castagna. We continued to research the process and questions to ask lawyers as we had no idea what to expect other than what our social worker had told us. We met with Jeanine in October of 2011 and we felt confident that she knew a lot about the process. She explained the process thoroughly and answered all of our questions
Jason Miller
Sep 23, 2021
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She is a great Attorney for any new parents that need help in placing children she is caring and will help find the right parents who will fit the discripsion which you want for your childre. And honestly she help my son live and have a life cause at the time I was strung out and had no hope in me and was not ready to be a parent thanks
Nicki Bianco
Sep 21, 2021
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Melissa Russell
Aug 01, 2021
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Jeanine is the very best at what she does! From our initial consultation until our finalization, Jeanine has been outstanding. She is knowledgeable about all topics and issues that arise. Most importantly, she is amazing with her communication. There was not an email or text, however trivial that went unanswered in the timeliest fashion. Jeanine is very dedicated to what she does and truly cares about her clients. Without her we would not be parents and I will be forever grateful for her expertise and commitment. I would not hesitate to recommend Jeanine to anyone considering the adoption process
Michelle Walsh
Apr 11, 2021
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Words can’t describe how grateful we are to have hired Jeanine! She was absolutely Amazing throughout the entire process! We could always count our her and she had incredible response time. She was available anytime to answer questions or guide us in the right direction. Jeanine definitely goes above and beyond to help make your dream of becoming a family come true. We highly recommend Jeanine to anyone looking to adopt!
Rori Martello
Jul 28, 2020
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Jeanine was attentive, professional, and extremely helpful throughout our whole adoption process. She was readily available for all our questions and concerns, and maintained a voice of reason throughout what can be an emotional experience. We recommend Jeanine without reservation!
Jeanine, thank you so much for your guidance this past year and for helping us grow our family. We will always be grateful!
Jeanine, thank you so much for your guidance this past year and for helping us grow our family. We will always be grateful!
Jaisa Perez
Jul 21, 2020
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Hiring Jeanine Castagna for my adoption process (private adoption) was the best decision ever. A friend recommended her and gave me the same information you are about to find out with this review. I called Jeanine having no idea about the adoption process in NY or interstate adoption. I said “there is someone looking to give her baby up for adoption and I have no idea where to start, can you help me” she then reassured me that everything will be okay, explained and guided me through the process step by step. She is very experienced, compassionate and most importantly honest and will always
Tricia R.
Sep 23, 2019
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Amazing! That’s the best way to describe Jeanine. She is a fantastic attorney. She is incredibly knowledgeable, extremely professional and unbelievably caring. While going through the adoption process, Jeanine answered all our questions no matter what time or where she was. Whether she was on vacation or on the field with her children, she was there for us. There’s something to be said about a woman who interrupts her time with her family to help you become one. She is truly one of a kind and genuinely cares about her clients. We are super happy with our decision in choosing Jeanine to come
Ed R.
Mar 12, 2019
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We were so fortunate to work with Jeanine Castagna on our adoption journeys. We met with Jeanine after having a poor experience with someone else. She immediately struck me with her transparency, professionalism, and compassion. She guided us along our path, was supportive, helpful, and got things right. She was also exceedingly responsive, fair and ethical.
For our second adoption, we were actually contacted by a birth mom who was working with an agency, so we switched to that path. When we got stuck, with a baby, in another state, and the agency had dropped the ball, I reached out to Jeanine
For our second adoption, we were actually contacted by a birth mom who was working with an agency, so we switched to that path. When we got stuck, with a baby, in another state, and the agency had dropped the ball, I reached out to Jeanine
Jonathan G.
Feb 16, 2019
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How do you write about the person who helped make you a family? There are no words. From the moment we met Jeanine, we felt a level of knowledge, passion, professionalism, experience, resourcefulness, and empathy that we've never before experienced among any lawyer, ever. In fact, she's not a lawyer; she's an angel and a gift! We have already recommended her to others wishing to start a family and would not hesitate to do so a million times over. She was always available to answer questions, give invaluable guidance and advice and was fiercely protective of our best interests throughout
Jackie G.
Feb 15, 2019
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From the moment my wife and I had our consultation with Jeanine, we knew she would be the attorney we would select. Adoption Law is very specific and the entire process is quite overwhelming. It's important to hire someone who not only understands the laws, but who also has compassion for the emotional roller coaster adoptive parents are on.
Jeanine was ALWAYS available to my wife and I. We had hundreds of questions over the course of about 18 months of our search/finalization. From website / advertising suggestions, support groups, home studies, certification and fingerprinting, to vetting
Jeanine was ALWAYS available to my wife and I. We had hundreds of questions over the course of about 18 months of our search/finalization. From website / advertising suggestions, support groups, home studies, certification and fingerprinting, to vetting
Christine W.
Dec 03, 2018
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There aren't enough words to express how amazing Jeanine is. I am forever grateful as she is a huge part why I am a Mom today. Her knowledge, compassion and heart shined through ever step of our adoption journey. She was always available to answer any questions, and made me feel like I was her only client. Jeanine deserves 10 stars!
Anna T.
Nov 06, 2018
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5 stars isn't even enough to describe the wonderful experience we had dealing with Jeanine. Jeanine is honest, caring and possesses a wealth of experience in adoption law. She is ethical, conscientious, and a consummate professional - three qualities that are essential to making the adoption experience a positive and successful one. Jeanine always makes herself available to her clients, whether it's to provide reassurance or advise on complex situations. The adoption of our second child involved a somewhat delicate situation. Jeanine handled it with patience, compassion and thoroughness
Leslie S.
Nov 14, 2013
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Where do I start?? This lawyer is as good as it gets...and then better!!! I have been working with Jeanine for 7 months now and she not only knows what she is doing...she does it with heart! Adoption is so emotional and it makes it so much easier when your lawyer gets it! I know several couples using her and I know they share the same feelings as I do. Thank you Jeanine!
