Adoption Attorneys in Houston
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Houston Adoption Process
The decision to grow your family via adoption is a huge one. It can feel exciting and scary, and you may not have others in your life with your experience. Choosing to add another child to your family or beginning your first family comes with many emotions. The child may have a different background, culture, and life experience.When adopting a child, there are many things to know, and preparation is vital.
Adoption is a legal process that can be confusing and complicated at times. Unlike birth, the entire process is based on laws. That’s why you’ll want a Houston adoption law firm to guide you from the very beginning. The general requirements for adoption are simple. In Texas, an adult can adopt any minor person. If they are married, their spouse must also agree to the adoption unless one of those parents is the biological parent of that child. If the adopted child is over 12, they will need to consent to the adoption. A Houston adoption attorney will ensure the process is completed quickly and correctly.
Adoption comes in many forms
There are different types of adoptions. Adopting an infant from the United States is called a domestic infant adoption. These usually occur through an adoption agency. For newborns, birth parents have a window of time post-birth to revoke their decision to release their child for adoption. The adoption process is longer for international adoptions because you need to work with the laws of other countries. Sometimes, you must visit multiple times or stay within that country for an extended time before adoption. If a child is adopted internationally, they will need to get United States citizenship. adoption lawyers in Houston, and surrounding cities such as Tomball can guide you through this process.
You can also adopt from foster care. Children in foster care were removed from their birth parent’s homes and moved into a stable home with someone else. They can be any age under 18, and many have suffered trauma. Because of this, there are often required classes that teach parents how to deal with any issues that may arise. Unlike adoption, foster parenting is another option that temporarily allows the child to live with you. Many people will begin fostering and then move to adoption if they decide that they would like to adopt the child or children.
Trust us to help you build your family
Every adoption is different, and parents decide to adopt for many different reasons; however, they all share the same road of navigating a confusing legal process. No matter what fork in this road you decide to take, adoption attorneys can help you through the adoption process. Eaton Family Law is passionate about families and loves to help people grow their families through adoption in Houston. Call us today to begin the wonderful and rewarding life of adoption.