The Texas Adoption Process

 Posted on March 27, 2017 in Adoption

The adoption process allows children to join loving families who can offer them a safe and comfortable home. Unfortunately, the adoption process can be complex, time-consuming, and frustrating, so it is important for prospective parents to have the advice of an experienced Leander adoption attorney who can help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Adoption Requirements

In Texas, prospective adoptive parents must meet certain basic requirements before they can begin the actual process of adoption. For instance, to be eligible to adopt a child, a person must be over the age of 21 years old and be financially stable. Adoptive parents must also complete an application that contains information about their background and lifestyle and will be required to:

• Undergo a criminal background check;
• Provide references from both relatives and non-relatives,
• Provide proof of marriage or divorce; and
• Agree to a home study.

Home Studies

Home studies can be done through the state, through an adoption agency, or through an independent home study agency. However, regardless of which entity conducts the home study, the process will include multiple home visits by a caseworker. These visits allow the caseworker to get a better understanding of the adoptive parent’s personal history, lifestyle, and childcare experiences. This information then helps the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) determine whether a family is prepared to:

• Provide a permanent home and a lifelong commitment to a child into adulthood;
• Provide for a child’s short-term and long-term needs; and
• Provide for a child’s emotional, mental, physical, social, educational, and cultural needs.

Finalizing an Adoption

Once an adoption has been approved and a child has relocated to his or her adoptive family’s home, the adoptive parents will still be required to complete a number of post-placement visits, which are usually performed by a caseworker and are intended to give the court a clear picture of how the child and the adoptive family are adjusting. At this point, a family law judge will perform a final review of the adoption to ensure that all post-placement visits were completed, that interstate adoptions were performed in accordance with applicable law, and that both of the child’s birth parents’ parental rights were appropriately terminated. According to state law, adoptions cannot be finalized until the child has been in the custody of his or her adoptive parents for at least six months.

Contact Us Today to Consult With an Experienced Adoption Attorney

If you are considering adopting a child, please contact Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC to schedule an initial consultation with a dedicated and knowledgeable Leander adoption attorney who can walk you through the adoption process. We are eager to assist you with your case.

Source:

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Get_Started/requirements.asp