Houston adoption attorneys
Prospective adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old and have the financial means to care for a child. In Texas, both single individuals and married couples are eligible to adopt, with the primary focus on providing a safe and loving home.
A crucial part of the adoption process is the home study. This thorough assessment, conducted by a qualified professional, involves interviews, background checks for all adults in the household, and an evaluation of your living space to confirm it is safe and nurturing for a child.
Before an adoption can be finalized, the parental rights of the child’s birth parents must be legally terminated. Their consent is typically required if the child is 12 years or older. Navigating these legal steps can be complex, but we can guide you through the process with clarity and care.
Call (832) 688-6606 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Houston adoption attorney today.
Adoption Options in Houston
If you’re thinking about growing your family through adoption in Houston, it’s essential to know that Texas law offers several pathways. Each option has its own process and considerations, and the best choice will depend on your family’s goals and circumstances.
Two standard options are private domestic adoption and adoption from foster care:
- Private domestic adoption typically involves infants and can be arranged through licensed adoption agencies or with the help of attorneys. This option provides a more personalized approach to building your family.
- Adoption from foster care focuses on giving children in the Texas child welfare system a stable and loving home. These children come from diverse backgrounds and include various age groups, all needing care and support.
Other pathways include stepparent adoption and relative or kinship adoption:
- Stepparent adoption legally establishes the bond between a stepparent and their spouse’s child, granting full parental rights.
- Relative or kinship adoption happens when grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other extended family members assume the legal parentage of a child within their family.
Additionally, families looking to adopt internationally can pursue international adoption, which involves working within U.S. and foreign legal systems to welcome a child from another country into their home.
How Long Does the Adoption Process Take in Houston?
Several factors can impact the timeline for adoption in Texas.
The type of adoption—such as private infant adoption or adoption from foster care—plays a significant role.
Completing the required home study and a detailed review process also takes time. If a matching process with a birth parent is involved, this step can vary in length for each family. Critical legal steps like terminating the birth parents’ parental rights must be completed, and any complications here can affect the overall timeline.
While providing an exact timeframe is challenging, many adoptions in Texas are finalized within several months to over a year, depending on the case’s unique circumstances. At Skillern Firm, we leverage over two decades of experience in family law to handle the legal complexities of adoption with care and precision. While court schedules and external agencies may influence the process, we focus on managing the parts we can control effectively, keeping you informed and supported throughout your adoption journey.
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