About

Attorney & President
(rwyatt8395@aol.com)

Rick was born and spent his early life in Clanton, Alabama and moved to Pell City as a teenager. He spent his time as a youth in the outdoors and worked at Pine Harbor Marina in the summer to help pay his way through college. He excelled in athletics and continues to be very active scuba diving, hunting and fishing. Rick and Susan married in 1976 and they are best friends. They have 4 children, Craig, Natalie, Hannah & Grant. Rick & Susan’s two youngest children were adopted. They have 5 grandsons: Jeremiah, Wyatt, Jackson, Fisher and Chance; and a granddaughter: Finley. Rick & Susan work together at the law firm and the adoption agency.

Rick developed a strong work ethic from his parents and grandparents who worked extremely hard during the Great Depression and on through World War II. His father, a World War II veteran, was of special inspiration to him. After college, Rick worked in sales in the water and gas industry but developed a strong desire to find a profession where he could help people of all walks of life. After much prayer and searching, he and Susan decided to sacrifice so he could attend law school.

While working his day job, Rick attended law school 5 nights per week for 2 and ½ years. The pace was grueling but with Susan’s help and encouragement, Rick graduated from Jones School of Law in the top of his class in the spring of 1985. Rick began private practice in October of 1985. While attending law school, Rick completed special studies in Adoption Law. Rick has handled hundreds of adoption cases. Those include: private adoptions, inter-family adoptions, agency adoptions, domestication of foreign adoptions, interstate adoptions (ICPC), and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) adoptions. Rick handles all of the legal matters for Family Adoption Services, Inc., and its clients. Rick’s law practice focuses on Adoption in all aspects.

Rick’s commitment to help birth mothers and fathers, adoptive parents, and children through this lengthy and emotional journey has allowed him to be a part of countless adoptions. Family Adoption Services was incorporated in 1991 and he has continuously acted as its legal advisor and attorney. In January of 2008, Rick assumed the responsibilities as president and director of Family Adoption Services

Rick is a member of the Alabama Bar Association, the Alabama Association for Justice, and is admitted to practice in all state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Rick’s practice is especially centered in the area of adoption. Rick also has extensive experience in civil litigation, appellate practice, worker’s compensation, social security disability and SSI, and Probate. Rick began practicing with the law firm of Davies, Williams and Wallace focusing in general civil litigation and the defense of businesses, gas companies, and individuals. However, he has practiced in the area of adoption since 1985. Rick’s practice has evolved to the representation of individuals and families in all areas of his practice.