Adoptions & Terminations

Adoptions & Terminations

Our office has experience handling private adoptions as well as step-parent adoptions.   There are many steps involved in pursuing an adoption, including background checks for the adopting party, a social study, and getting consent from the biological parent(s) or in the alternative, terminating the rights of the biological parent(s).  

An adoption effectively turns adoptive parents into “biological” parents, with all the rights, duties and responsibilities a biological parent would have regarding a child becomes those of the adoptive parent(s).  Essentially, it will be as if the child has been biologically born to the adoptive parent(s).  The rights and responsibilities of the adoptive parent(s) does not end if there is a divorce between the adoptive parents or parent and step-parent.  Upon completion of an adoption, a new birth certificate will be issued by the state reflecting the adoptive parent(s) as the biological parent.  This document will then need to be presented to any and all entities that relates to the child (Social Security Administration, schools, IRS, US Department of State, DPS, etc.).

Texas allows for adoption of adults, as well.  Step-parent adoptions are the most common.  As to terminating the rights of the biological parent(s), termination can be done voluntarily by the biological parent(s) or terminated by the court based on proven grounds (abandonment, abuse, neglect, etc.).  Terminating one’s rights as a parent is a serious legal matter.  Our office has years of experience in these types of cases.