What’s the difference between an adoption agency, consultant, attorney and PairTree?

PairTree: A self-matching and support platform, where adopting parents and expectant moms connect to build a direct relationship with one another. Once a connection has been made, the adoptive parents and expectant mom work with an attorney or agency to continue with the adoption. 

Consultant: An individual who helps would-be adoptive parents decide on an adoption path, and assists in choosing an appropriate agency or adoption attorney.

Adoption Agency: An organization that is licensed by a particular state to educate and prepare families to adopt children and to do all the necessary legal, administrative and social work to ensure that adoptions are in the best interests of the children.

Attorney: A lawyer who files, processes, and finalizes adoptions in court. In some states attorneys may also arrange adoptive placements.