Guiding You Through the Adoption Process
Adoptions are some of the most enjoyable cases to work on as a family law attorney. It is one of the few times when everyone who walks into a courtroom can come out with a win.
I am attorney Sharon Merrick. I guide stepparents in the Richardson-Plano area through the Texas through each of the steps necessary to adopt a child. Stepparent or relative adoptions often make legal a parent-child relationship that already existed.
What About the Biological Parent's Rights?
Before a stepparent can adopt the child, the rights of the biological parent must first be terminated. This can be a voluntarily or involuntarily process. In the vast majority of stepparent adoptions that I handle, the biological parent is either missing or is not involved in the child's life.
Many families are understandably nervous about how the biological parent will react to the thought of his or her parental rights being terminated. There is a serious measure and there are numerous steps to take in order to complete the process properly.
How Does a Stepparent Adopt a Child in Texas?
There are a number of steps that need to be taken to adopt a child in Texas. For example:
- A home study will need to be done. The requirements of this study are different in contested and uncontested adoptions.
- Both parents will need to complete a criminal background check. This background check takes time and should be started early so it does not hold up the adoption.
- If the child is identified as a Native American, there are other specific steps need to be taken.
As your lawyer, I will prepare you for your home visit and each of the steps in the legal process.
Free attorney consultation: To discuss stepparent adoption with me, lawyer Sharon Merrick, call 972-591-2323 or fill out the contact form on this Web site.
