All right, my lawyerly friends, I have a question for you.

In the novel I’m writing, my main character (Gigi) gave up her son (Owen) for adoption when he was born. She was young, the father (Ric) was a douche, and she felt that the kid’s best chance was to get as far from Ric as possible. She chose an open adoption, and three years later she met her son for the first time. Naturally, she fell in love with him. He stuck in her head, infiltrated her every thought, and before she knew it, she decided she wanted him back.

I know that, in CT, adoption is permanent unless you had a temporary agreement (sort of like a foster home for the child until you can get back on your feet). This information came to me through a friend who has a friend who has an open adoption agreement, so I’m trusting her word. If we’re wrong, please correct me!

Initially, I was going to have Gigi see several lawyers, each of them telling her that she can’t get him back. But the second lawyer came up with a loophole. The adoptive parents sort of breached their agreement. Gigi is supposed to be able to have long distance contact with Owen as well as mandatory visits twice a year. The adoptive parents wouldn’t allow her to send him a birthday gift, so the new lawyer is going to use this as a loophole. He’s a sloppy but vicious character.

I was so not planning to write any court scenes, but this lawyer insists that we use this loophole. He’s one greedy, scrappy fuck (and he’s cute). Since I am not a lawyer, have only been to court twice (once to accompany a friend for a child support hearing, and again to attend jury duty for the first time), and am not entirely sure how to proceed, this is where you, my lawyerly friends, come in.

(This is also where my initial plan for the ending gets entirely screwed, so thanks, Mr. Lawyer Character.)

I need any advice you might have as to how this guy can use this loophole to try to get the kid back (and make a lot of money in the process). I also need advice on how to run the court scenes. I guess what I’m asking for is a person with lawful knowledge to answer my million questions as they arise. If you help me, I’ll give you cookies and mention your name if the book ever gets published, as well as send you a copy of said book if it makes it to the shelves.

Thanks in advance.