I do not regret adopting my daughter—not for an instant. But I regret coming into the experience with so much faith in the agencies and governments that brokered the arrangement that brought her into my life.

Valerie F.

The choice to enroll in an outpatient program altered my life immensely. Our choices determine our future, and I had made a poor one driving drunk...Help is an amazing way of embracing freedom.

Robin M.

The process to get approved for adoption or foster care is intense...You will be called upon to answer personal questions that only the bottom of your soul can answer.

Elizabeth N.

The hardest part of our adoption journey can be summed up in one word: waiting. When we began the process, we were told that it would take us 12 to 15 months from start to finish. Instead, 30 months later, we were finally home with [our] little boy.

Trisha P.

Getting out of my marriage was a lot less complicated than I expected, but divorce is a painful experience and one that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

Angela W.

Whether it was pride, self-preservation or naiveté, I hesitated to ask others to speak for me or interpret the vast quantities of data I gathered. If I had to go through the first five years again, I would find a personal advocate...

Cynthia R.

Start talking to the IRS as early in the process as possible. They were, on the whole, pleasant to talk to and helpful in letting me know what options I had available.

Tiffany G.

While it is true that we probably ultimately received only pennies on the dollar, we did get a settlement...But most importantly, we learned a lesson...what's important is to be at peace with yourself.

Mike M.

A sense of humor is a must-have throughout the process. How else would I have gotten through the many times that I was called to an immigration office for an appointment only to find that a hundred other people were given the same appointment time?

Melissa S.

If you were adopted, it is important that you begin the process of obtaining citizenship as soon as possible to avoid problems with school, scholarships, jobs, and even deportation.

Jeana Z.

I went into my bankruptcy thinking the attorney would find all my creditors and fill out the court papers. Knowing now that attorneys do not do that, I would keep better records...

Brenda S.

Bankruptcy is not what I always imagined...It is not meant to be an easy way out. Nor is it a worst-case scenario. It is simply a solution to a problem.

Leslie C.

Each part of the process is dependent on another and with some kind of time restriction...For example, your medical has to be done within a certain time frame of the application.

Tiffany S.

The act of filing for bankruptcy is not an easy one by any means. It's complicated and is not designed for the layperson to understand.

Michele G.