If you are thinking of adopting a child, here is where to start and some of the things to consider.
Adoption can be one of the most rewarding experiences for families. It’s also one of the most rewarding in family law as well. A family making the decision to adopt a child as a member of their own family is one of the most beautiful things parents can do.
However, there is some work involved in adoption and a process to go through for parents hoping to adopt. It’s not quite as simple as deciding one day, and adopting the next. But for families that are dedicated to adopting a child to their family, the journey is well worth it.
Here is where to start when considering adoption:
1 – Begin by Researching Foster Care
You’ll want to start by researching more about adoption and the process overall. But take some time to research foster care as well. Reason being, children in foster care are already waiting to be adopted by a family.
So it’s a good starting point for families to consider.
You can even search for children waiting for adoption in Texas right from the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange.
2 – Get in Touch with an Adoption Agency
After conducting some of your own research, you’ll next want to get in touch with an adoption agency. Adoption agencies are essentially a middleman that help facilitate the journey for parents who want to adopt a child.
Helpful Resource: Options for Adoption from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
From here, learn more about the various options for adoption, what to look for in an adoption agency, as well as what to expect in the adoption process.
3 – Attend an Adoption Orientation Meeting
After getting in touch with an adoption agency, the next step will generally be to attend an orientation meeting. Here you will learn more about available adoption programs, an overview of the process, along with the requirements involved to adopt.
At this time, most orientation meetings are being held virtually due to COVID-19, however the adoption agency you speak with should have more information on how orientations are being conducted.
4 – Consider speaking with a Family Law Attorney
One step that is sometimes overlooked is consulting with an attorney who can help with adoption matters. If you are a biological mother or father, a family law attorney can help guide you through adoption-related issues. Common adoption cases range from contested cases involving the involuntary termination of parental rights, to newborn adoptions that involve Child Protective Services (CPS).
Whether you have saved for years to adopt a child, or are an LGBT family searching for a lawyer who does surrogacy, this is where a family law attorney can be an invaluable resource to help on the journey to family creation.
5 – Get Your Finances in Order
Adoption is expensive. There’s no real way around this. But families who are serious about adopting a child will also need to be serious about their finances.
It is for this reason that it’s suggested to build up a strong savings before attempting to adopt. However, don’t let finances discourage you. Often there are options parents can take to pay when all else is in order.
6 – Prepare for Next Steps
One of the last steps in the adoption process is having a home study conducted. This is where a family shows the court their parental and financial abilities to ensure these requirements are able to be met. In addition, courts are also going look at the home itself, whether it suitable for the adoption of a child into the home.
Once these steps have been completed, a hearing is held to finalize the adoption. At that time, a judge will ask the parents about their intentions with the adoption. If all is successful, a final decree will be issued by the court, finalizing the adoption and making it legal.
Need some guidance with starting the adoption process? We are here to help. Contact us today.
