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For an adoption attorney Houston trusts, schedule a free consultation with Nguyen & Chen. Adoption is a beautiful way to grow your family. Moreover, you help to ensure children have a loving home environment. However, the adoption process is often complex. To navigate it, you need an advocate with the experience and expertise to advise you properly. At Nguyen & Chen, our family law attorneys offer skilled legal counsel. From extensive personal service to empathetic guidance, we help Texas families with a variety of adoptions. Call today for a free consultation.
An Adoption Lawyer Houston Can Rely On
With an adoption lawyer, Houston’s prospective parents have someone with a keen eye for detail. Our legal team goes above and beyond to ensure your adoption complies with all Texas adoption laws.
Whether you want to work with an adoption agency or adopt a relative, it is essential that you follow the law. At our family law firm, we handle an array of legal matters. This allows you to focus on your new family.
The Importance of Adoption in Houston, TX
There are many reasons behind prospective parents seeking an adoption. No matter the reason, when someone’s birth parents are unable to care for them, the adoption system is an opportunity for someone to take on the role of a parent.
From unfit parents and parents who simply aren’t ready to abandonment, death, and other tragic circumstances, children find themselves in need of parents. With an adoption attorney, Houston parents have someone to guide them through this complex legal process.
At Nguyen & Chen, our Houston adoption lawyers represent prospective parents in a broad spectrum of circumstances. Whether you want to seek adoption after the termination of parental rights, a stepparent adoption, or international adoption, our experienced legal team is ready to help.
To schedule a consultation, contact our firm today.
Texas Adoption Laws: The Basics
When you want to adopt in Texas, the biological parent must terminate their parental rights. Typically, this happens in one of two ways.
- Voluntary relinquishment
- Termination by the State in cases of abandonment, abuse, etc.
Since the exact requirements vary from state to state, it’s good to work with a Houston adoption lawyer with the propensity to research your situation. Moreover, with an adoption attorney, Houston’s prospective parents have someone to answer questions about the process, requirements, their legal options, and more.
In Texas, the Courts take the termination of parental rights quite seriously. Further, each case requires a good cause for the termination of these rights when a parent doesn’t voluntarily relinquish a child.
Oftentimes, termination and adoption cases combine into one legal process. In this case, the courts make two determinations.
- The termination of a parent’s rights is in the best interest of the child.
- The adoption is in the best interest of the child.
When you work with an adoption lawyer Houston trusts, you have an advocate to determine the best course for your case.
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Adoption Attorney Houston FAQ
What is the adoption process like?
In Texas, the adoption process typically follows the below process.
Pre-Adoptive Home Study
With an adoption attorney, Houston has a guide to walk them through this process. Your adoption lawyer will explain this home study to you as it pertains to your situation.
Typically, this is a report that a licensed social worker prepares. Through this process, they collect information that helps the Court decide whether the adoption meets the best interest of the child.
Generally, it involves a detailed review of the prospective parents and includes the following.
- Interview of prospective parents
- Verification of all legal documents
- Confirmation of their financial status
- Criminal background check
- Child abuse check
Termination of Parental Rights
For someone to adopt a child, it is essential to terminate the rights of one or both biological parents. Texas allows parents to voluntarily do this. However, it differs for the mother and father.
- Birth mothers must wait 48 hours after birth to relinquish their rights.
- Fathers can relinquish their parental rights at any time.
With guidance from your adoption attorney, Houston law is much easier to navigate.
Final Adoption
After the termination of parental rights and completion of other requirements, a judge hears the case. When they believe the adoption meets the best interest of the child, they grant it.
- Harris County: Many courts require a conference before the trial to ensure paperwork is in order.
- Houston: The court assigns an ad litem or amicus attorney who ensures the adoption is in the best interest of the child.
- An amicus attorney is someone the court appoints in a family law case.
- The ad litem attorney is someone who provides legal counsel to someone with undivided loyalty, this includes children.
When you work with an adoption attorney, Houston courts are far easier to work with. Local counsel offers a great deal of insight into the local court system. Moreover, our legal team strives to ensure the process is smooth.
What is a stepparent adoption?
This is one of the most common forms of adoption in Texas. Most adoption attorneys in Houston have some experience with this type of case.
A stepparent adoption creates a legal, permanent parent-child relationship. In the eyes of the law, the stepparent essentially becomes a biological parent. This remains true even in the event of a divorce.
Adoption Attorney Houston
Your Family Law Advocates
When in need of an adoption attorney, Houston trusts the family law attorneys at Nguyen & Chen. We are a team of advocates who understand the intimate nature of family matters. As such, we offer the empathy and dignity our clients need and deserve in these cases.
When you need an experienced Houston adoption lawyer, contact our firm to schedule a free case evaluation. We are happy to offer you the guidance you need in these complex legal processes.
Call our firm today to schedule your free consultation.
This information is not intended as legal advice and is for general information purposes only. To gain advice for any individual cases, schedule a consultation in Houston, Texas.