MURDOCH HUGHES & TWAROG Attorneys at Law, P.C., based in Burlington, Vermont, provides adoption legal services for adoptive families and pregnant women.

In 1998, Kurt Hughes became a member of the American Academy of Adoption Lawyers, an invitation-only national association of attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law. He has been -- and continues to be -- the only attorney member from the State of Vermont since that time.

Our lawyers and staff are compassionate, ethical, open-minded and experienced. Vermont law allows any person to adopt and be adopted, and we will happily work with anyone who will provide a good home for a child. We are especially proud of our work with gay and lesbian couples, who often face legalized discrimination in other jurisdictions. While we encourage some degree of openness, our team will support your choice of an open or closed adoption. We can assist with international and interstate placements, contested termination of parental rights litigation, and Vermont adoption finalizations. We are experienced in both private and agency adoptions, as well as stepparent, grandparent, kinship and foster parent adoptions in Department of Children and Families (DCF) proceedings.

In many cases, we are asked to represent birth parents, with referrals coming from agencies, attorneys in other states and prospective adoptive parents. We love this very important work, and we work hard to see that they are given the legal advice and support that they need, and ensure that the consents and supporting documents are all properly executed. Our staff also facilitates communication with the hospital to make sure that our client’s wishes regarding the adoption plan are respected.

Children's best interests are always our first priority. We believe it is important to have each and every child placed in a good and loving home through a legally secure adoption.

Click Here to view our site dedicated to our Adoption Services.

Adoption Law - Notable Cases:

          In Re Margaret Susan P, adult adoptee's access to adoption records
          - 169 Vt. 252, 733 A.2d 38 (Vt., May 14, 1999) (NO. 98-145)