Adopting a child into a loving and stable home is an incredible gift that will undoubtedly bring your existing family full circle. With that said, you likely have plenty of questions if you are considering adopting a child and may have wondered what the adoption requirements are in Texas.
After all, adoption laws constantly change to ensure the best interests of each child, and the steps prospective adoptive parents must take to satisfy all requirements are taken very seriously. Our team of family law attorneys at Christman | Daniell Attorneys is dedicated to helping you navigate the exciting but overwhelming nature of the adoption process.
What Is Adoption?
Adoption is defined as the formal process of establishing a legal relationship between a child and a parent other than the child’s biological parent. The adoptive family is officially recognized as the child’s parents in the eyes of the law and is entrusted with the responsibility of raising the child. There are several types of adoption processes, including but not limited to the following:
- Adoption through the Child Welfare System — Also known as foster care, these children are under the custody of the State.
- Private adoption — This process can be through an agency or a legal agreement between the adoptive and birth parents.
- Relative adoption — Many times, children are legally adopted by existing family members who aren’t their birth parents.
- International adoption — This is an option for many families who wish to widen their search beyond the United States.
Adoptions take place every single day across the country. In fact, you may be surprised to hear that around 140,000 children are adopted by American families each year. Furthermore, there are roughly 1.5 million adopted children in the United States.
What Are the Basic Adoption Requirements in Texas?
As important as it is to find every child a stable and loving forever home, the process itself can be time-consuming, expensive, and overwhelming — especially for prospective parents who are beginning this journey for the first time. Not everyone qualifies to be an adoptive parent, and even those families that do qualify sometimes face a process that can take months and even years.
If you are considering adoption or are in the middle of an adoption dispute, it is wise to consult with a family law attorney experienced in adoption cases. We are happy to answer any questions and review your case to determine the best course of action.
Please call Christman | Daniell Attorneys , for your legal needs today!
Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. The material on this website and in this or any blog article we publish are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The attorneys at Christman | Daniell Attorneys believe in tailoring legal advice and solutions to your own personal circumstances.
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