Requirements for Adoptive Parent(s)

Here in Texas you may pursue a private adoption or choose to adopt through the Texas foster care system.

While the paths for each of these types of adoption are different, the requirements for adoptive parents are the same.

You must:

• Be age 21 or older, financially stable, and a responsible, mature adult
• Agree to a home study, which includes visits with every member of your household
• Pass a criminal background check
• Attend free training sessions on issues of abused and neglected children
• Provide background and lifestyle information
• Have references from family, friends, and non-family members

Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys have experience representing grandparents, foster parents, and other caretakers seeking to adopt children out of the CPS system.

Private Abilene Adoption

Our Abilene law firm regularly handles private adoptions, including adoptions by:

• Stepparents
• Grandparents
• Other individuals who’ve become caretakers of children.

To learn more about any type of adoption under Texas law, contact us today to speak with one of our Abilene family law attorneys.[/column]

Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights

If you are currently caring for a child or children in CPS custody do not take for granted that you will be granted a request for adoption.

The adoption of a child is a totally separate legal procedure from the termination of parent rights, and any number of parties including birth relatives may come forward and assert that they are suitable adoptive parents.

The Adoption Process

There are basic steps in this process:

• Home study: This analyzes your physical, mental, emotional, and financial readiness and is the most critical step to assure that children are placed in stable, loving homes.  More information on what a home study is may be found here. Be aware that, on average, this process can take from 3 to 6 months.
• Waiting: Yes, you will wait. Waiting can be the hardest part, but how long it takes depends upon the type of adoption you’re involved with and a number of other factors.
• Accepting an adoption opportunity: If you’re adopting an infant, this means the birth mother has chosen you. If you’re adopting a foster child, it means the child is ready for placement in your home.
• Pre-placement contact: This occurs only in the case of adopting a domestic infant. You have the chance to meet the birth mother as part of open or semi-open adoption. Close to 95% of today’s adoptions done in the United States are open.
• Placement: This can happen in the hospital after the child is born or you may be welcoming a foster child after meeting them.
• Finalization: After completing a series of post-placement requirements, on average it takes six months to get to the point of a finalization hearing in Texas family court, where a judge will make the adoption legal.