WV Adoption Attorney

Fran Whiteman is a West Virginia family law attorney proudly offering prospective clients the advantage of over 30 years of experience with 15 plus years of focusing on representing parents in adoption proceedings. She meets the needs of prospective adoptive families by leveraging her legal expertise in adoption law, as well as across several additional practice areas. When seeking the most favorable outcome for your adoption, Fran offers the effective legal representation and services you need.

Fran comes from a West Virginia family who lived their lives in service to others. Her mother, Edna Staggers Whiteman, taught in public schools in Keyser for over 45 years. Her Aunt Frances (who was like a second mother to her and for whom Fran was named) taught at the high school her entire working life. Her Uncle Harley Staggers served as a Congressman in the United States House of Representatives. Margaret Staggers, her cousin, has served as a Delegate in the West Virginia State Legislature while also working as an emergency department physician. Perhaps it is not surprising that Fran always knew that she would live a life in service to others. Her brother, Neil Whiteman, also served—retiring as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Fran’s path to service led her to the study of law. In the thirty years since she graduated from Capital University Law School, her practice has largely focused on serving the needs of children and their families. Fran has represented thousands of children, parents, and other caregivers in abuse/neglect cases. Through her work on these cases, she has gained an intimate knowledge of the law, the roles of the various participants, and how the cases move through the court.

The goal in abuse/neglect cases is to remedy the problems which led to the case being opened and to reunify the family. Nevertheless, many of the cases result in the termination of parental rights. The outcome is that many children become eligible for adoption.

Adoption is now the core of Fran’s law practice. Not only has she handled hundreds of adoptions throughout the state, Fran also donates her time to teaching foster parents and prospective adoptive parents about the entire process, from the beginning of the abuse/neglect case to the final adoption hearing.

Fran has been passionate about all of her work as an attorney, however nothing has ever been more gratifying to her than seeing the creation of a new forever family on Adoption Day. She looks forward to serving you and your family to make the entire process smooth and speedy!