Creating a Special Bond in the Adoption Process

Friday Feature:
​Elyssa K. Williams

Adoption and Family Law Attorney, Mother and Avid DIY'er

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It's Friday---finally! You've almost survived the first full week of the year and the weekend is near. Today I am introducing you to a remarkable advocate for youth and their parents. Elyssa Williams helps families with the adoption process and describes her role in a touching way: "it is an incredible feeling to know that I participated in creating such a special bond." Elyssa is a seasoned attorney with 23 years of experience, a mother, and she also enjoys "do it yourself" projects (I hear she did some pretty amazing things to update her kitchen). She was recently recognized for her work in family law and adoption when she was nominated as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Georgia by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and she is also a member of the Top One Percent by the NADC (National Association of Distinguished Counsel).  

"​It is an incredible feeling to know that I participated in creating such a special bond.  "  Elyssa Williams

Q:  Please tell us about how you serve the youth in our community.
I am best known for my work in divorce and family law, but perhaps my most personally rewarding work is in adoptions.  I am always surprised at how meticulous and detail-oriented adoption practice needs to be, but  I feel so privileged when I can be a part of bringing together a parent and child.
 
Adoption work gives me the amazing opportunity to give a child a parent!  There are truly no words that can describe the feeling of completing an adoption and watching your clients leave the courtroom as a true family. 
 
I also have a very child-centric divorce practice. ​ I do everything in my power not to put the children in the middle of their parents’ issues, and to maintain a level of dignity between parents such that they can continue to co-parent their children in a healthy fashion.

Q: What advice do you have for parents of teenagers?
 If your child is adopted, they should know their adoption story from as early on as possible.  Teenage years are not an ideal time for your child to find out that they are adopted.
 
During or after a divorce, introducing teenagers to your new romantic partner too quickly can be a big mistake.  Teenagers will usually see this as you trading your old family for a new one and they will feel very betrayed and alienated.

Now for a few fun questions!

Q: What 3 items are always on your desk?
A picture of my family to remind me what is really important in life, an old fashioned calculator and a stack of documents that aren't important, but I'm not ready to throw out yet.

Q: Where is the most exotic place you have ever traveled? 
I spent a summer living and traveling in Israel in the '80's.  I also spent the summer before my 3rd year of law school camping out across the U.S.  -- not exotic, but was really cool.

Q: What is your favorite book?
 The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I think this book may now be considered politically incorrect, but I read it in high school and it really influenced my views on personal responsibility. 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELYSSA:
You can learn more about Elyssa Williams by checking out her website and her blog.  Also, please see her contact information:

Elyssa K. Williams, Attorney
300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 100
Roswell, Georgia 30076
Phone/Text:  (678) 613-5732
Email:  elyssakwilliams@yahoo.com