Helping to Build Families for More Than Three Decades
Our firm opened its doors in 1988 with the singular intention of helping potential parents and birth mothers through the adoption process. In this time, we have helped numerous parents achieve their dreams, having facilitated more than 2,500 successful adoptions.
Based in Greenville and serving throughout South Carolina, our practice is led by attorneys Lori Horst and Raymond Godwin. Lori was an educator for many years but became interested in adoption when she became an adoptive mom through international adoption and domestic adoption. This ignited a desire for Lori to help other adoptive families, so she left education and pursued a law degree. Lori recently joined the firm and is committed to continuing what Ray started by helping adoptive families in South Carolina. Ray’s interest in adoption law began in the 1980s when he adopted two baby girls, and he has remained committed to the field ever since.
A Legacy of Service in the Region
We welcome you to contact us if you are a birth mother or birth father who needs help or if you are seeking to adopt. We offer experienced guidance in a full spectrum of adoption processes and considerations, including:
- Assisting with preparation of your home study
- Referring a birth mother to you or locating a child for you to adopt
- Reviewing and drafting your “Dear Birth Mother” letter
- Reviewing and drafting your portfolio
- Assisting in the selection of an out-of-state attorney to represent your birth mother
- Monitoring payment of legal and reasonable expenses for your adoption
- Obtaining Interstate Compact (ICPC) approval when you take placement of a child born outside of South Carolina or when you, as an out-of-state couple, take placement of a child born in South Carolina
- Updating you regularly on the status of your adoption
- Drafting, filing, and processing all legal documents
- Finalizing your adoption through the family court in the county of your residence or the child’s birth, whichever is located in South Carolina
- Obtaining an amended birth certificate for your child once your adoption is finalized
- Representing contested adoption situations that involve your county Department of Social Services
- Assisting out-of-state adoptive couples with their South Carolina birth mothers
- Assisting families with the grandparent or stepparent adoption process
We are adept at facilitating all manner of adoptions, whether you are looking to adopt a special needs child or a child in foster care or if you are seeking to strengthen your bond with your stepchild or grandchild.
Community Involvement
We believe that you should be able to trust your adoption attorney–not only as a professional, but also as a good human being. We have been involved in community activities, including youth sports activities, church-related outreaches, crisis pregnancy centers, and some worthy political endeavors. Ray has written articles about adoption, co-authored two books on adoption, and been selected to speak on adoption by the South Carolina Bar Association.
At Godwin & Horst, Attorneys at Law, we are committed to serving others every day by trying to set an example in the community and help those in need.
To learn more about Lori Horst and Raymond Godwin, please follow the links below:
Reach Out to Us to Learn More
Regardless of the type of adoption you are seeking, our comprehensive knowledge of the process and understanding of the unique challenges you are facing can serve to benefit you.
To schedule a consultation, call our firm at 864-241-2883 or reach us online. We will handle your unique situation with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.