Adopting a child is one of the best and most rewarding things you can do in your life. While there are usually numerous steps between deciding to adopt and giving a child a new home, our team of adoption lawyers in Dickinson, TX is here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re considering adoption or need to speak to an experienced adoption lawyer in Dickinson, TX, don’t hesitate to contact the legal team at Hannah Law, PC directly at 281-262-1311 to schedule your no obligation, confidential consultation.
Why Choose Us to Be Your Adoption Lawyer?
Adopting a child is a beautiful and life-changing event that involves the addition of a new member of the family. It’s also a legal process that requires careful planning and consideration. The legal aspects of adoption can be complicated, which is why you need an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process.
Here are the top reasons why you should choose to work with us:
We Ensure a Smooth Process
Our adoption lawyers know how to navigate the legal system and will provide legal guidance on different types of adoption, such as international, domestic, and foster care. We can help you understand the legal requirements and limitations of each type of adoption.
We Protect Your Rights and Interests
Our adoption lawyers will represent you in court and interact on your behalf with adoption agencies, birth parents, and other parties involved in the adoption process. We can also help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an adoptive parent under the law.
We Help You Avoid Legal Issues
Legal issues can arise during the adoption process, such as the adoption agency facing legal challenges or the birth parents changing their minds about the adoption. Our adoption lawyers can provide effective legal guidance on how best to handle such situations.
We Provide Emotional Support and Guidance
Adoption is a major life event that can be draining. Our experienced adoption lawyers can provide emotional guidance and support throughout the adoption process. We can help you understand and prepare for the different stages of the process.
How to Adopt a Child in Texas
Procedural differences exist between private adoptions and adopting through the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), but the laws that govern adoptions in Texas typically require the same basic steps, which are:
Step 1: Information Meeting
Besides meeting the minimum age requirements and passing a criminal background check, you should also be willing to go through each step in the adoption process. The information meeting informs you about the steps and requirements and lets you ask preliminary questions.
Step 2: Preparation Meeting
You will then meet with DFPS staff for the purpose of further assessing whether adoption is suitable for you while giving the staff the opportunity to assess your qualifications. Contact a qualified family lawyer or adoption lawyer to help with preparation
Step 3: Training
Texas offers a Parent Resource Information Development Education (PRIDE) course lasting 35 hours that includes instruction regarding basic child care as well as specific considerations for each prospective adoptive parent.
Prospective parents also participate in three additional training and certification programs outside of the PRIDE program with each aimed at further educating the adoptive parents about meeting the adoptive child’s needs.
Step 4: Home Visit
A DFPS caseworker will then visit your home to review your lifestyle, personal history, experience caring for children, and numerous other factors to help determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for adoption. Each member of your household, including other children, is interviewed to develop a complete picture of the prospective family unit.
Each step completed before the start of the adoption process helps prepare your family to bring a new child into your home and ensures a seamless integration with your family. The steps above are essentially the same for families wishing to open their home to children that require foster care.
How Much is Adoption in Texas?
The cost of adoption in Texas is one of the first things that people take into account. Numerous factors can influence the overall cost of adoption, which means that there’s no clear-cut answer. The total cost includes expenses and fees for adoption lawyers, agencies, and other professional services.
The cost to adopt a child in Texas ranges anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000. However, these numbers can vary significantly based on the adoption agency used, whether the child is a U.S. citizen or a citizen of a different country, whether you are adopting a foster child, among numerous other factors.
Adopting a baby in Texas generally costs more than adopting an older child. In many instances, using the services of a Dickinson adoption lawyer such as those at Hannah Law, PC is less expensive than that of an adoption agency.
Do I Have to Be Wealthy to Adopt?
You don’t have to be wealthy to adopt, but adoption centers have certain rules in place to help children find stable homes. The federal government has also set an income limit to ensure that adoptive parents earn enough to meet the basic needs of the adopted child.
The income requirements for adoption in Texas vary, but most adoption agencies and professionals will just ask you to verify your financial stability and income source. This is often confirmed through financial statements or tax documents.
How Long Does It Take to Finalize an Adoption in Texas?
Adoption finalization is a moment that signifies how far both the adoptive parents and birth mothers have come in their journey of loving their shared child. Numerous factors contribute to the timeline for adoption in Texas. You can generally expect to have a finalization hearing 6 months after the child’s placement in their new home.
Contact Our Dickinson, TX Adoption Lawyers!
Adoption is an emotional, complex, and rewarding process. Having an experienced adoption lawyer is essential to navigating the ins and outs of an adoption. At Hannah Law, PC, we want you to feel confident every step of the way. Call us today at 281-262-1311 to schedule a confidential consultation with a seasoned, knowledgeable adoption lawyer in Dickinson, TX.
