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If you and your spouse are looking to adopt a child in Arlington, TX, we may be able to assist. Backed by many years of experience, our skilled and dedicated Arlington adoption lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., can guide you through your entire adoption case. Let our experience, skill, and knowledge work for you while you prepare to receive a new child into your home.
Texas adoption laws are not to be taken lightly. It is always in your best interest to have capable, battle-tested legal representation by your side during an adoption in Arlington. To learn more about all of our services in a confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Adoption Requirements in Arlington, TX
Adoption in Texas can be extremely overwhelming for prospective parents, especially if they have never been involved in an adoption process before. Adopting a child in Arlington, TX, can be challenging due to the number of documents and legalities adoptive parents have to go through. Knowing what to expect and learning more about the adoption requirements in Texas can help you ease the process.
There are several essential things to take into account when deciding to adopt a child in Texas. First, you must be 100% committed to adopting a kid. The system does not favor couples who have cold feet midway through their adoption process. Being committed requires understanding what you can expect in an adoption. This is a matter our Arlington adoption lawyers can help you with. Once you are entirely sure about adopting, you should understand the requirements set forth by adoption laws in Texas.
To adopt a child in Arlington, TX, you must be at least 21 years old and be financially stable. The courts may be reluctant to grant you an adoption if you are unable to provide for the child. It is essential to understand the courts will always look to protect the child’s best interests over anything else. If you are unable to provide a stable life for the child, you may not be able to adopt it.
Protecting the child’s interest also goes hand in hand with your lifestyle and your background, which are both qualifying requirements in your adoption process. You must submit yourself to a criminal and child abuse background check before going forward with your adoption process. This requirement applies to all adults living in your household. Again, the courts want to protect the best interests of all adoptive children.
You also need to go through what is known as a “home study.” A home study is an evaluation or assessment performed by an adoption professional. During this process, you will be asked information about your family’s history, your lifestyle, and your ability to provide proper care for the prospective child. This is arguably one of the most critical aspects of the adoption process as it shows first-hand whether you can carry out the responsibility of taking care of your adoptive child.
Different Types of Adoptions in Arlington, TX
Adopting a child requires careful planning. Part of your plan includes selecting the kind of adoption you will pursue. There are different types of adoptions you can choose. For instance, you can file for private adoption. Private adoptions are usually done through an agency or licensed attorney. Private adoptions can be open, where the adoptive and biological parents meet and work out the adoption details, or closed, where involved parties do not meet.
You can also choose to adopt a child through Child Protective Services (CPS). The children under CPS care are those who were removed from their respective homes due to situations of abuse, neglect, and abandonment, among other reasons. Adopting from CPS requires prospective adoptive parents to meet specific requirements. For instance, you must be at least 21 years old, financially stable, and have good health, among other requirements. A skilled Arlington adoption attorney can help you understand how this type of adoption works and how to adopt a child under the care of CPS in Texas.
International adoptions are also available for adoptive parents. These adoptions are made through agencies specializing in this type of process. Different from other types of adoptions, international adoptions can be extremely complicated. For instance, adoptive parents must contact the adoption agency and set the wheels in motion. Additionally, they will need to arrange documents and permits to bring the adopted child to the U.S. Moreover, you may need to visit the adoptive child’s country to meet him or her as part of the adoption process. You should not be discouraged due to the complexities of international adoption. A skilled Arlington adoption attorney can help you with your international adoption process.
How an Adoption Attorney Can Help You Through the Process
Going through the adoption process in Arlington, TX, can be extremely complex, especially for new adoptive parents. Generally, adoptions are controlled by state law. The state of Texas set forth a number of laws regarding adoption. Retaining the services of a skilled attorney can help you navigate through Texas’ adoption laws and understand how the process works.
Additionally, adoptions require completing and presenting many documents. All of these documents must have accurate information and must be filed on time. You may not have enough time on your hands to take care of all the documents required during the adoption process. An experienced attorney can help you take care of all the necessary documents and ease the process for you.
More importantly, an adoption lawyer can help you defend your rights in the event of unforeseen circumstances. For instance, there may be situations where a biological mother intervenes, asking to get her son or daughter back. Your attorney can help you assert your rights as an adoptive parent by presenting evidence of your status as the legal parent of your child.
Call Our Adoption Attorneys for a Confidential Consultation in Arlington, TX
If you or someone you know is looking to start a family through adoption, we can help. Thanks to our many years handling family-law related affairs in Arlington, we can provide you with quality legal representation throughout your entire adoption process. We understand the difficulties an adoption can bring in. That is why our dedicated, skilled, and experienced Arlington, TX adoption lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., dedicate their efforts to guiding you through your entire adoption case. To learn more about your potential adoption case in a confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.