Arizona Adoption Help

We love our work and are honored to be involved with our wonderful birthmothers during their adoption journey. We will work closely with you to provide the legal representation, personal attention and moral support you need during and following your pregnancy.

Adoption Attorney Thomas Underwood

Attorney Thomas Underwood is a private adoption attorney who will legally represent you and protect your rights, making certain your plan to build a family for your baby proceeds exactly as you wish. He works with attorneys who represent certified, prospective families and will match you and your baby with the perfect family. Immersed in the world of adoption early in his career, Attorney Underwood went on to earn his Juris Doctorate in Law and took over the Arizona Adoption Help law firm in 2016. More than your attorney, he is a grounded and sensitive advocate for Birthmothers. His experience with Birthmoms and their babies, adoptive families, and the hospital and nursing staff during an adoption has instilled in him a very attentive approach to every client’s needs. While many adoption service providers do not grant the opportunity to meet with your legal representation, Attorney Underwood will take the time to guide you through this legal process in person.

Adoption Director Kim Jackson

As the Adoption Director for Arizona Adoption Help, Kim oversees each Birthmother’s adoption plan to ensure they are comfortable throughout the entire process. She will work with you to design an adoption plan that best suites your wants and needs during this special time in your pregnancy. From your very first phone call to receiving updates and pictures of your child far into the future, Kim will be here every step of the way. She is always available to hear your story and provide the emotional support and help you need to maintain a stable and healthy living situation. A mother of three, Kim understands the desire to provide your child with the best possible life and honors your decision to choose that life.

Counselor Kris Bergin

Kris is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Arizona and has guided Birthmothers at Arizona Adoption Help for the past twenty years. She is an independent counselor with extensive experience in the adoption process and will objectively help you evaluate your decision of whether or not to place your child for adoption. If matched with an adoptive family, Kris facilitates the relationship with the family, often guiding phone or Skype calls and being there with you if you decide to meet the adoptive family in person. Oftentimes the birth of the baby and subsequent hospital stay can seem daunting doing an adoption, but Kris counsels pregnant Birthmoms well in advance to prepare a birthing plan and can serve as care partner in the hospital. An adoptive mother herself, she has immense respect for the journey you are going through and is here to help you navigate this emotional time.

Birthmom Support Alisa Shevalier

Alisa is invested in helping birthmothers and their babies experience the most positive adoption journey possible. In addition to her involvement in the legal process of adoption, she enjoys working with hospital and nursing staff to make sure your hospital stay proceeds smoothly and always with you in mind. At your and the adoptive family’s request, she can even put her professional photography skills to use and capture your most special moments in the hospital. Also our resident nanny, Alisa cares for babies during those rare times an adoptive family is not present at baby’s discharge from the hospital.

Birthmom Support Vanessa Lopez

Vanessa began work with Arizona Adoption Help after hearing stories about the amazing impact Birthmothers have in this world. She wanted nothing more than to share in the experience of helping pregnant women and their babies. She is here to support you in the day-to-day process of placing your baby for adoption. Whether it be rides to doctor or counseling appointments, questions about your plan, or just simply to talk through your emotions, no one has a bigger heart or stronger desire to help. Vanessa is available to our Birthmoms directly and around the clock for all their pregnancy and adoption needs.

Adoption Consultant Kerry Moore

Kerry began practicing law in 1976 and founded Arizona Adoption Help 35 years ago after realizing her particular interest in preserving and protecting the rights of birthmothers. She is highly familiar with the laws pertaining to adoption and has contributed to the creation of nearly 1,800 families through Arizona Adoption Help. Kerry retired in 2016 after serving the Arizona community as a family and adoption lawyer for forty years, but stays connected to Arizona Adoption Help as a legal consultant. A mother of eight, she is very involved with her own children’s life planning and has great respect and admiration for any woman who places her baby’s needs above her own and who chooses to create a family for the baby she loves.