Helping Your Family Grow Through Adoption in Texas
Adopting a child is a deeply rewarding and life-changing journey, bringing joy and new beginnings for both your family and the child. However, the adoption process can be complex, particularly in Houston, where specific legal requirements must be met. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC is dedicated to guiding you through every step, offering compassionate and knowledgeable support to help turn your dream of parenthood into reality. Our team of Houston adoption attorneys provides comprehensive legal assistance tailored to the unique needs of each family, ensuring a smooth and informed adoption experience.
Our firm is honored to hold an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Our founding attorney, Bryan Fagan, is a distinguished member of the College of the State Bar of Texas—an achievement earned by fewer than 10% of attorneys in the state. Families in Houston who turn to us for adoption services are embarking on a transformative journey, and we are dedicated to guiding them with honesty, compassion, and unwavering support every step of the way.
Call The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC today at (281) 810-9760 to discuss your case.
Understanding the Different Types of Adoptions in Texas
Adoption is a deeply personal journey, and no two cases are the same. Each type of adoption involves unique legal processes, considerations, and requirements. Our Houston adoption attorney is dedicated to helping you explore your options and safeguarding your family’s best interests at every stage.
In Texas, common types of adoptions include:
- Stepparent Adoptions: When a stepparent wishes to adopt a spouse’s child, a legal process is required to terminate the rights of one biological parent. This type of adoption is common and provides the child with additional legal protections and a sense of stability.
- Domestic and Private Adoptions: Private, often domestic, adoptions occur directly between birth parents and adoptive parents. They require clear communication, legal safeguards, and meticulous attention to detail to protect the rights and best interests of everyone involved.
- Relative Adoptions: Relative or kinship adoptions allow family members to adopt a child to provide stability and support. This can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings. In Texas, the rights of both biological parents must be terminated before a relative adoption can proceed.
- Infant Adoptions: Infant adoptions often involve a private agreement with birth parents, who voluntarily relinquish their parental rights. Our attorneys ensure that the rights of all parties are honored and that the process is handled with compassion and sensitivity.
- Foster Child Adoptions: Adopting a child from the foster care system can provide a child with a stable, loving home. Our firm works with foster parents to navigate the complexities of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) requirements, advocating for them in hearings, case conferences, and appeals.
- International Adoptions: Adopting a child from outside the United States requires compliance with state, federal, and international regulations. Families pursuing international adoption benefit from a Texas adoption attorney who can help with necessary paperwork, citizenship requirements, and re-adoption processes.
- LGBTQIA+ Adoptions: In Texas, married LGBTQIA+ couples can adopt following the same processes as heterosexual couples. If partners are not married, the adoption process can involve additional steps to secure legal parental rights for both individuals. Interstate Adoptions: When adopting a child across state lines, Texas adheres to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), which establishes uniform adoption procedures to protect the rights of the child and family.
No matter what type of adoption you’re considering, our team will be with you through every legal step, helping to clarify processes and offering the emotional support needed to make this transition a smooth and joyful one.
The Adoption Process in Texas
Every adoption is unique, but Texas law outlines essential steps that all adoptive families must follow. At our Houston-based law firm, our adoption attorneys simplify the process and provide dedicated advocacy at every stage:
- Information Meeting: The first step in your adoption journey is understanding Texas adoption laws. This meeting gives you an overview of eligibility requirements, legal considerations, and the steps involved, allowing you to ask questions and prepare for the process ahead.
- Preparation Meeting: If you’re adopting from foster care, this stage involves meeting with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) representatives to assess your readiness and commitment to adoption.
- Parenting Training: Texas law requires prospective adoptive parents to complete a 35-hour Parent Resource Information Development Education (PRIDE) course. This training provides essential childcare education and helps families prepare for the unique challenges and joys of adoption.
- Home Study: A caseworker will conduct a detailed evaluation of your home to ensure it meets safety and stability requirements. Household member interviews help assess how well your family can integrate and support an adopted child.
- Legal Proceedings: Once initial requirements are met, our Houston adoption attorneys will guide you through the legal process, including filing petitions, attending court hearings, and completing the necessary steps to finalize your adoption. If required, we also handle the termination of biological parental rights.
Each step is crucial in building a solid foundation for your family and ensuring the successful completion of the adoption process. Our firm is committed to guiding you through each requirement, advocating for your rights, and protecting the best interests of your future child.
Legal Concerns in Texas Adoptions
The legal aspects of adoption can be intricate and bring up crucial questions, particularly regarding parental rights, consent, and post-adoption relationships. Our team provides guidance on key issues such as:
- Consent from Birth Parents: Understanding how to ensure consent is given voluntarily and the timeframe in which a birth parent can revoke it.
- Open vs. Closed Adoptions: Legal considerations for structuring ongoing contact, if any, between birth and adoptive families.
- Relative Adoptions: Protecting the well-being of the child when adopting a family member, such as a grandchild or sibling, to ensure long-term stability.
- Adopting Parent Rights: Clarifying your legal rights and responsibilities, particularly in cases of stepparent or foster adoptions.
Our Houston adoption attorneys are here to answer your questions and provide the legal support you need to navigate the adoption process with confidence.
Why Choose the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC?
At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, we bring extensive knowledge of Texas adoption laws and a strong dedication to helping Houston families thrive. Our attorneys provide personalized, compassionate support, recognizing that adoption is both a legal process and an emotional journey.
Adopting a child is a life-changing experience, and we are here to ease the challenges that may arise along the way. With our team by your side, you’ll feel confident, informed, and ready to welcome a new child into your home.
Take the first step today—contact us for a free consultation and let us guide you through the adoption process in Houston.
Have questions regarding your adoption case? Learn how the firm can help by scheduling your free consultation today.
