[godfry n. glad]

I know very little about adoption.

From those who I have known who have taken the adoption route, the early phases tend to be fraught with all kinds of legal frustrations. I don't know that crossing state boundaries to finalize the adoption necessarily complicates things, given what I've heard from adoptive parents who've adopted foster kids from the state system.

As for "unregulated"...I would think that the high level of bureacracy would indicate regulation. Perhaps you meant something else?

Also, from my perspective, you may well be right that it's naught but "child-selling", given the market. People who rillyrilly want children, but have not been able to engender their own, have a very inelastic demand and consequently, those involved in making it successful find that they are willing to pay well and tolerate many frustrations.

Sorry about the attorneys. Nobody should have to hire that many attorneys. You have my condolences.