The process of adoption can be a long, difficult one. For many, it’s a road they are willing to take in order to give a child or children without loving parents home and a new chance at life.
We’ve previously discussed foster care adoptions in our blog because there are so many children looking for their forever families. But for those who choose not to take that route have other options to adopt children in Texas.
The Private Adoption
Also called an “independent adoption,” this is a straightforward adoption between the birth mother and the child’s prospective parents. An adoption attorney handles the adoption process, and the birth mother relinquishes all of her parental rights so that the prospective parents can adopt the child.
The advantage of private adoption is that the new parents can avoid fees by the adoption agency, which can be considerable. However, the attorney and prospective parents will still need to hire individuals to assist in the process, such as a social worker for background checks and to conduct home study visits in order to finalize the adoption.
Private adoptions can also involve a family member adopting a child or children whose parents are no longer able to provide care or another child in the community who is in need of a home. These can involve infants as well as older children, especially in the case of siblings.
The Agency Adoption
When prospective parents decide to contact an adoption agency, they will typically receive a wide range of services and support along with assistance in finding a child or children to adopt. The agency facilitates every aspect of the adoption, from matching prospective parents with birth mothers, as well as making arrangements and conducting the home study visits and other aspects. This can include the finalization of the adoption, as well as providing an up-front “estimate” of the costs involved.
Open Vs. Closed Adoptions
There are two forms of adoptions: “open” and “closed.”
Open adoption is when the birth mother/parents meet with the prospective parents before and during the adoption process. They work with an adoption attorney or agency, who handles the process together with everyone.
A closed adoption is just the opposite. The birth mother/parents work with the adoption agency and/or attorney to facilitate adoption to the prospective parents, but they never meet or share details. The adoption is handled between the two parties but they never come in contact.
The choice of adoption type is done at the choice of both the birth parents and prospective parents.
Whichever type of adoption you choose, it’s important to work with an experienced adoption attorney to ensure that your adoption is valid and done correctly.
Let Wendy L. Hart Help Throughout The Child Adoption Process
At the Law Office of Wendy L. Hart, our greatest professional accomplishments involve happy families brought together. As always, you can expect passionate service, thorough knowledge of Texas adoption law, and compassion towards your goal and interests. To begin the adoption process or for help with an existing legal issue related to adoption, call our Mansfield-Fort Worth family law office today at (817) 842-2336. We’ll be happy to help.
