Fort Worth Infant Adoption Lawyers

Adoption is a process that can result in a lifetime of happiness for both the adopted child and the parents, but often the process itself can be full of challenges and anxiety. While state adoption agencies try to make it as clear as possible, the adoption process is still highly complex and confusing for most people who wish to adopt. Infant adoptions specifically come with their own set of complications, with additional considerations that may have to be made. An infant adoption attorney can guide you through the process every step of the way, ensuring a successful adoption, and laying the groundwork for you and your spouse to raise a happy and healthy child.

Qualified, professional and experienced attorneys can greatly diminish the stress of the adoption process. The Fort Worth infant adoption lawyers of The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC can help you understand your situation and give you the guidance that you need to ensure a successful adoption process. Contact the Fort Worth infant adoption lawyers of The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC by calling us today at (817) 335-9600, or by sending an email to the office.

Why Do I Need an Infant Adoption Lawyer?

An infant adoption lawyer can help you through the adoption process, from determining whether the adoption is going to be open or closed to guiding you through the post-adoption paperwork. Additionally, the state and/or adoption agency will conduct several studies and prepare reports on the adopting parents to determine if they are fit to adopt and raise a child. Infant adoption lawyers can help you and your spouse understand the criteria and what needs to be communicated to the caseworker during this process.

With so many steps comes a high risk of something being tied up or lost in the system, creating additional headaches and anxieties for you and your spouse. Using an experienced infant adoption lawyer can help you navigate this complex process as smoothly as possible, helping you to achieve the ultimate result of welcoming a child into your family.

How Can The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC Help Me in an Infant Adoption?

The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC has the experience and know-how to deal with all types of adoption cases. We have over 50 years of combined experience in the state of Texas, handling cases across multiple practice areas, including infant adoptions. We work with each client and consider their unique needs and circumstances, guiding you through each step in the adoption process. We aim to achieve an optimal outcome for you and your spouse, helping to lay the groundwork to raise a happy and healthy child.

How the Infant Adoption Process Works

The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC will handle your case throughout each step of the adoption process. Some of the typical steps involved in adopting an infant in the state of Texas include:

Meeting Qualifications

You and your spouse will need to meet basic qualifications in order to be considered for an adoption. In Texas, this includes, but may not be limited to:

• You and your spouse are 21 years of age
• Financial stability
• Sharing extensive background information
• Participating in a home study
• Providing references, proof of marriage, and criminal background checks

Choosing An Adoption Type

Adopting Domestically vs. Internationally

International adoptions often require additional procedures, and some countries have policies that completely bar parents from the United States from adopting in that country.

Open adoption or closed adoption?

Open adoptions allow varying methods and amounts of communication between the adopted child and the birth parents, while closed adoptions do not allow any communication between the adopted child and the birth parents. Please see more information on closed vs. open adoptions here.

Completing Adoption Home Studies

Home studies are required for all adoptions to make sure that you and those living in your home are fit to raise an adopted child. States and adoption agencies both provide this service, but the general procedure is the same:

• Caseworkers will visit your home to discuss personal backgrounds, family backgrounds, and lifestyle, and your personal strengths and skills as a parent to meet the needs of an adopted child.
• Criminal background checks (state, federal) – note that the background check must be performed in the state in which the adopted child will be coming from (i.e., if you live in Texas and the adopted child lives in North Carolina, the criminal background check will be performed in North Carolina)
• Medical information and backgrounds
• Financial information and backgrounds

Finalizing an Adoption

Once the adopted child and their parents are matched, there are a number of steps following the completion of the matching process:

• Post-placement visits by the home study provider, for a state-mandated length of time
• Completion of any post-adoption paperwork
• Finalization: Only after a specified period of time can an adoption be finalized and the child permanently released to the adopting parents
• Any post-placement contact between the birth parents and the adopted child, usually determined through the decision whether to have an open or closed adoption

Contact the Infant Adoption Lawyers at The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC Today

The Fort Worth infant adoption attorneys at The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC have been practicing in the state of Texas for a combined 50+ years, bringing experience and understanding to the often complex and frustrating processes of infant adoption. After making the initial decision to adopt, there are many steps to the process, some of which can be frustrating and intimidating. However, when followed correctly and with the guidance of an experienced infant adoption attorney, this process can become less stressful, helping you to be on your way to raising a happy and healthy child.

The Fort Worth adoption attorneys of The Maynard Law Firm, PLLC are here to help. Give us a call today at (817) 335-9600 to speak with a legal professional about a prospective adoption, or send an email to our office. We look forward to working with you and your spouse on your journey to becoming a loving parent for an adopted child.