Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Tanner.
Hi Betsy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve learned that sometimes it is other people’s choices, even poor ones, that impact or shape your life. In 1980 there was a young woman in Columbia, SC who found out that she was pregnant again. She was divorced, had a 4-year-old, and had already placed another child for adoption. She was depressed and in no place to raise a child. The baby’s father was not an option for parenting. She chose life and, in the spring of 1981, I was born.
I went into a foster home for the first 7 weeks of my life. I’ve heard that I was carried constantly and loved well. I’ve never met that family, but I’m still pretty sure that experience has shaped me.
Sometime in April of that year, my parents and older brother were in Disney World. My Aunt was watering the flowers at their house when the phone rang. Obviously, these are the days before cell phones and obviously, she was comfortable enough answering the phone at her sister’s house. Even more obviously, God’s timing (even when it comes to watering flowers) is perfect.
My aunt got in touch with my parents to tell them they had received the call they had been for and been matched with a little baby girl. They cut their trip to Disney short, much to the chagrin of my brother, and drove back home. On the way, they stopped in Columbia and picked me up to bring me home. This still blows my mind!!! While they were on the way home, word spread to their family and friends, and by the time they got home, a full nursery was set up in their house. They were well-loved.
I had a wonderful childhood. I graduated Shannon Forest Christian School, went to Furman University, and then went on to law school. For those who care, I’m a 3 on the enneagram.
I didn’t know exactly what to focus my law practice on, but after I had my first adoption client, I realized that was something I would like to pursue. It’s funny because life experiences certainly shape you, but you don’t always realize it until later.
I decided to focused my law practice on adoption law. I went out on my own in January 2020. I practice adoption law and probate law.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, the road has been really smooth. My parents are wonderful and I had great life experiences. Looking back, I realize that when I was born, my life experiences were anything but predictable. But God has certainly had his hand on my life. I did attempt to connect with my birth mother, but she has chosen not to have a relationship with me. I respect her decision. I do have a good relationship with two biological siblings.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Betsy Tanner LLC?
For about eleven years, I worked with another lawyer based in the Greenville area. In January of 202o, I started my own law practice in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. I represent clients all over the Upstate of South Carolina. I focus my law practice on adoption and probate law. I have a wonderful legal assistant, Rebekah. We pride ourselves on providing compassionate legal representation. Both adoption and probate law can be highly emotional. We provide advocacy and understanding. Whether a family is working to make a child part of their forever family or a family has lost a loved one, we can guide our clients through the legal processes. For my adoption practice, we finalize private adoptions, foster care adoptions, stepparent adoptions, relative adoptions, and adult adoptions. As far as my probate practice, we help guide families through the legal process of probate, which means putting their loved one’s assets through probate. When you lose a family member or close friend, the grief can be overwhelming. In addition to dealing with the loss of a loved one, handling the administrative duties of probating their assets can feel overwhelming. We are here to help.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
God is always at work and He is always good. From being adopted myself as an infant to now representing families in their adoptions, God has been at work weaving a beautiful lifelong story.
Contact Info:
- Email: betsy@betsytannerlaw.com
- Website: betsytannerlaw.com
- Instagram: @betsytannerlaw
- Facebook: @betsytannerlaw
Image Credits
Anna Bargeron
Joanna Kilgore
