Adoption Attorneys in San Antonio

Texas Adoption Guidance from a Board-Certified Family Law Attorney

We don’t locate children or match prospective parents with adoption opportunities. After you have identified a birth mother or another adoption opportunity, we can counsel you on the legal path forward. Adoption is governed by Texas law, so working with an attorney familiar with the state’s requirements is critical.

Attorney Rebecca Carrillo is board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She can guide you through the legal steps, required documents, consent issues, court filings, and finalization of your adoption matter.

Call our San Antonio adoption attorneys at (210) 405-6623 to discuss your adoption path and the legal steps ahead.

Client-Centered Adoption Guidance Since 2009

Established in 2009, our firm provides client-centered legal service tailored to each family’s circumstances. We explain potential costs, legal implications, and possible outcomes so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Clients have direct contact with our attorneys and staff when questions arise. Rebecca Carrillo also holds a 10.0 Avvo rating. Her recognitions include listings in Texas Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion honors.

Requirements to Adopt in Texas

Texas Family Code Chapter 162 governs many of the requirements for adopting a child. Eligibility and required procedures depend on the type of adoption, the child’s legal status, existing parental rights, and the facts presented to the court.

Prospective adoptive parents may include stepparents seeking to adopt a spouse’s children from a previous marriage, as well as individuals or couples seeking to adopt. They may be asked to provide information concerning their home, finances, background, and ability to care for the child.

Texas adoption procedures can also include an adoption evaluation, criminal-history information, required reports, written consents, and a court hearing. Because these requirements aren’t identical in every case, we assess the specific adoption path before advising a client about filings and next steps.

Consent & Termination of Parental Rights

For an adoption to happen, the legal rights of the child’s existing parents generally must be addressed. Depending on the circumstances, that may involve a legally sufficient consent or relinquishment, or a court proceeding to terminate parental rights.

Consent, relinquishment, and revocation rules vary according to the adoption type and case facts. Under the Texas Family Code, a child who is age 12 or older generally must consent in writing or in court unless the court waives that requirement based on the child’s best interests.

Adoption Evaluations, Background Checks & Finalization

An adoption evaluation may need to be completed unless the court waives it under the applicable law. The evaluation can include review of the home, parental abilities, finances, and background information concerning the prospective adoptive parent.

Criminal-history information and other reports may also be required. The exact evaluation and documentation requirements depend on the type of adoption, the people living in the home, and any court-approved exceptions that apply.

Once the required steps have been completed, an adoption finalization hearing will take place. The court reviews the evidence and determines whether the statutory requirements have been met before issuing a final decree of adoption.

The Texas Grandparent Adoption Process

Issues that may arise in a grandparent adoption include:

• Parental Rights Must Be Addressed: Existing parental rights may need to be terminated through relinquishment or a court proceeding before the adoption can be granted.
• Adoption Evaluation: The court may require an evaluation of the proposed home and the prospective adoptive parent, subject to applicable statutory exceptions.
• Consent: Required consent depends on the child’s age, legal status, and the circumstances of the case.
• Court Hearing: A final hearing allows the court to review the evidence and decide whether the requested adoption meets Texas requirements.

Grandparent adoption is a form of kinship adoption. Existing custody orders, the status of each parent’s rights, and the child’s circumstances can affect the documents and proceedings required.

Each adoption type can involve different petitions, supporting documents, consent rules, evaluations, and hearings. Adult adoption follows its own requirements separate from the adoption of a child, while stepparent and kinship matters often require close attention to existing parental rights and court orders.

How Long Does Adoption Take in Texas?

Texas adoption timelines vary. There isn’t one standard six-to-nine-month timeline that applies to every case.

Timing depends on the adoption type, completion of required evaluations and background information, consent or termination issues, placement circumstances, document readiness, and court scheduling. Texas law provides for preferential setting of a final adoption hearing once applicable prerequisites have been met, but that provision doesn’t establish a universal completion date.

After reviewing your circumstances, our adoption lawyer can identify the unresolved legal steps and explain which factors may affect your case’s timeline.

Private Adoption Services for San Antonio-Area Families

In private adoptions, we prepare the legal documents that birth parents need to sign. Our San Antonio adoption lawyers can also file proceedings to terminate parental rights and an adoption petition when the facts support that legal path. After finalization, we assist with obtaining a new birth certificate for the child.

The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo handles adoption cases in South Texas, including Bexar County, Comal County, and Guadalupe County.

Common Questions About Adoption Representation

Can Your Attorneys Match Me With a Child?

No. We provide legal counsel after you have identified a birth mother or another adoption opportunity. We can then address legal planning, documents, court filings, consent or termination issues, and finalization.

What Legal Tasks Can Your Adoption Attorneys Handle?

Depending on the type of adoption, we can prepare documents, file an adoption petition, address parental-rights issues, explain evaluation requirements, and represent you through the finalization hearing.

What Can Affect How Long My Adoption Takes?

Timing can be affected by the adoption type, required evaluations and background information, consent or termination proceedings, document readiness, placement circumstances, and court scheduling.

Discuss Your Adoption Path With Our Firm

A consultation can help you understand your adoption type, the documents you may need, and the legal steps ahead. Our online Contact us form provides a convenient way to share your circumstances with our firm.