TLDR

A Murphy Francy alternative makes sense when you want one firm for your adoption and the work that follows, like a will, a guardianship, or a probate case. Murphy Francy is a well-liked family law boutique with deep adoption roots. Welsh & McGough is a full-service Tulsa firm with a former Oklahoma DHS attorney and courtroom depth. The right pick depends on whether you want a family law specialist or a firm that stays with you for life.

What This Article Will Show You

• The 7 things to check before you pick any adoption attorney in Tulsa
• How Murphy Francy PLLC and Welsh & McGough compare on each, with sources
• What Murphy Francy does well, said plainly and fairly
• Why a full-service firm helps after your adoption is final
• What Oklahoma law says about finishing an adoption
• The exact next step to book a free adoption consult in Tulsa

A Murphy Francy alternative is worth a look when you want one firm for your adoption and for what comes after it. Murphy Francy PLLC is a respected Tulsa boutique that helps build families. Welsh & McGough, PLLC is a midtown Tulsa firm where a Tulsa adoption attorney sits next to lawyers who also handle wills, probate, and court fights. This page shares 7 simple things to check before you hire any firm. Every point uses public facts you can confirm yourself.

We will keep it plain. No spin. No knocks on anyone. Just the questions that matter and where to find the answers.

Book a free consultation: Talk to a Tulsa adoption lawyer or call (918) 585-8600.

Why families look for a Murphy Francy alternative

Most people who shop around are not upset with anyone. They are doing smart homework. Adoption is one of the biggest steps a family ever takes. The lawyer you pick guides you through consent, the home study, the wait, and the final court date. So it pays to compare two or three offices before you sign.

Some families also want more than adoption help. Maybe you need a will once the adoption is done. Maybe an older parent needs a guardianship. Maybe a probate case is open at the same time. That is when people start to search for a firm that does it all. They are right to look.

The questions below come up again and again in Tulsa adoption consults. Run them on any firm, including ours.

Welsh & McGough vs. Murphy Francy PLLC: side by side

Every fact in this table comes from each firm’s own website or a public listing. Sources are linked below the table.

What to check	Welsh & McGough, PLLC	Murphy Francy PLLC
Team size	Multiple attorneys on staff	Multiple attorneys on staff
Main focus	Full-service firm: adoption, family law, estate planning, probate, court cases	Family law: adoption, guardianship, surrogacy, child welfare
Adoption types	Stepparent, relative, agency, private, adult	Infant, DHS, stepparent, ICWA, interstate, adult
Notable background	Catherine Welsh, former Assistant General Counsel, Oklahoma DHS	Becki Murphy, former Tulsa County prosecutor
Help after the decree	Wills, trusts, probate, guardianship in house	Family law focus
Free consultation	Yes	Contact to schedule
Main office	2727 E 21st St #600, Tulsa	2217 E Skelly Dr, Tulsa

Both firms are real options. Sources: murphyfrancy.com and the firm’s adoption page.

The 7 things to check before you hire an adoption attorney in Tulsa

1. Does the firm handle more than adoption?

Some firms focus on one area. That can be a real strength. But your legal needs rarely stop at the final decree. You may want a will, a trust, or a guardianship the same year. A full-service firm can handle all of it under one roof. Murphy Francy centers on adoption, guardianship, and surrogacy. Welsh & McGough adds estate planning, probate, and elder law, so a Tulsa adoption lawyer and an estate lawyer share the same office.

2. Can the firm go to court if the adoption is challenged?

Most adoptions go smoothly. Some do not. A birth parent may try to pull consent. A relative may object. A father may show up late. When that happens, you want a firm that tries hard cases, not just quiet ones. Welsh & McGough handles family law disputes and court cases in Tulsa County. Ask any firm how many contested adoption or parental rights cases it has argued.

3. Does the lawyer know the state child welfare side?

Adoption often touches the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and parental rights. A lawyer who has worked on that side of the table can spot problems early. Catherine Welsh is a former Assistant General Counsel for Oklahoma DHS. That background helps our clients read the state process. Both firms bring child welfare experience, so ask each one what it has handled.

4. How clear is the firm about cost?

Adoption cost in Oklahoma depends on the type and on whether anyone objects. No honest lawyer can quote a flat price sight unseen. But a good firm will walk you through the likely range. It will put the fee in writing before you start. For a plain breakdown, read our guide on what a Tulsa adoption really costs. Then ask each firm to explain its fees.

5. Does the firm handle your exact type of adoption?

Adoption is not one thing. Stepparent, relative, agency, private newborn, adult, and out-of-state cases each follow different rules. Murphy Francy lists infant, DHS, stepparent, ICWA, interstate, and adult adoption. Welsh & McGough handles stepparent, relative, agency, private, and adult adoptions. Match the firm to your case. Our adoption lawyer in Tulsa page lists the types we take.

6. Will the same firm help after the adoption is final?

Life keeps going after the final decree. You may need a name change filed, a new birth certificate, a will updated, or a guardianship set up. A full-service firm can handle all of it. Welsh & McGough also does estate planning and guardianship, so your family has one legal home for years. Ask any firm what it can do after the case closes.

7. Do real clients speak well of the firm?

Reviews are not everything, but they show a pattern. Look at Google, Avvo, and the firm’s own site. Read how a firm answers hard reviews, not just the happy ones. Both firms have strong reviews online. Read a handful for each. See which voice sounds like the help your family wants. You can also confirm any Oklahoma lawyer’s license through the Oklahoma Bar Association.

What Murphy Francy PLLC does well

We will say it straight. Murphy Francy is a highly regarded Tulsa family law firm. Becki Murphy left the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office to build a practice around adoption and guardianship. The firm says it has finalized hundreds of adoptions. The team handles ICWA and interstate cases and was even featured by CNN. Families who want a focused family law boutique have a real option in Murphy Francy.

Our point is not that one firm wins. A full-service firm just fits some families better. That is true when you want one office for your adoption and the estate, probate, or guardianship work that often comes with it. That is the honest trade-off.

How adoption in Tulsa actually works

Here is the short version. First, you file a petition to adopt in the county district court. Consent from the birth parents, or a court order ending their rights, must be in place. A home study checks that your home is safe and stable. In many cases the court enters a temporary order first. Then a waiting period follows.

Under Oklahoma law, that wait is usually six months from the temporary decree. The court can waive it when the child is a stepchild, is related by blood to a petitioner, or when a waiver serves the child’s best interest. After the wait, you ask for the final decree and the court sets a final hearing. If the judge finds the adoption is in the child’s best interest, the final decree is entered. Then the adoption is complete. You can read the rules in the Oklahoma Adoption Code on OSCN.

A steady lawyer keeps each step on track so your case does not stall. Want the full timeline? Read how long adoption takes in Oklahoma.

Common questions about switching adoption attorneys

Can I switch adoption lawyers in the middle of my case?
Yes. Your file belongs to you. You can ask your current lawyer for copies and bring them to a new firm at any time. A new Tulsa adoption attorney will review where things stand and tell you the next step.

Is Welsh & McGough better than Murphy Francy?
Neither firm is simply better. Murphy Francy is a strong family law boutique. Welsh & McGough is a full-service firm that also litigates and handles estate work. The right fit depends on your case and what you need after the adoption.

Do I have to start over if I change firms?
No. Most of the work already done stays valid. Filings, consents, and a finished home study carry over. A new firm picks up where your case is.

Why choose Welsh & McGough for your Tulsa adoption

We handle adoptions as part of a full-service Tulsa firm. That means a team of lawyers, court experience for hard cases, and a former Oklahoma DHS attorney who knows the child welfare system. It also means estate planning and guardianship help for whatever comes next. We build your case to hold up for life. We stay with your family after the decree.

You can compare us to anyone. That is the point of this page.

Ready to talk to a Tulsa adoption attorney who answers?

Book a free consultation with an adoption attorney in Tulsa at Welsh & McGough, PLLC. Call (918) 585-8600 or visit us at 2727 E 21st St #600, Tulsa, OK 74114. We will walk you through your options and give you a clear next step, at no cost.

Prefer to read first? Start with our adoption attorney vs adoption agency guide or our Tulsa adoption cost guide.

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Comparison information is based on publicly available sources as of July 13, 2026. We are not affiliated with Murphy Francy PLLC. Facts are drawn from each firm’s own website and public listings and were accurate to the best of our knowledge on that date.

What Tulsa families say about Welsh & McGough

Real, recent reviews from clients on Google.

“Welsh & McGough helped us through our legal adoption services in Tulsa OK with care and clear guidance. They explained each step in a way we could understand and made a stressful process feel much easier.”

Luke Meyer, verified Google review

“We came to Welsh & McGough for an adult adoption, something many firms don’t even handle. They knew exactly what was required under Oklahoma law and made the entire process simple and dignified. A wonderful experience with a truly professional Tulsa law firm.”

Jaclyn Cerrone, verified Google review

“Child custody situations can be incredibly emotional, but Welsh & McGough kept everything focused and professional. They helped us reach a fair custody arrangement and always kept our children’s best interests at the center of every decision. Highly recommend them to any Tulsa family going through this.”

Mark Johnson, verified Google review

Call us today for murphy francy alternative services.

Visit our Adoption page or call (918) 585-8600 for a free consultation.