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Need an Adoption Attorney near Pearland, TX?

Adoption brings families together, but the process in Texas can be complicated and requires the assistance of an experienced Texas adoption lawyer. At Terry & Roberts, we handle family law matters almost exclusively, and we are adept at keeping the best interests of children in mind while navigating complex legal proceedings. The adoption process can be confusing and complex, so whether you are seeking adopt or you need assistance with an unplanned pregnancy, our adoption attorneys can help.

Adoption Matters We Handle in Pearland

Stepparent Adoption

A stepparent becoming the official parent of their stepchild. This is one of the most common types of adoption.

International Adoption

Many international locations have become popular home countries of internationally adopted children.

While you focus on welcoming your child to their new home, let the attorneys at Terry & Roberts handle the legalities. The international adoption process can take months or even years, but we’ll be by your side through it all. We’re more than just adoption attorneys—we’re your allies, your shoulder to cry on, and your biggest cheerleaders.

International adoption combines two practice areas of law that usually operate separately: immigration and adoption. Finding a law firm that can do both—and that does them both well—is difficult. Terry & Roberts has assisted hundreds of families with international adoptions. We understand the unique challenges presented by adopting internationally, and we also know the emotional roller coaster families face throughout the journey.

In some ways, international adoptions are quite different from domestic adoptions, but other steps in the international adoption process are very similar. Here are some points to consider:

  • Deciding Which Country to Adopt From – If you have yet to choose an adoption agency, we can explain travel bans, eligibility requirements, and which countries are more challenging to work with. You will also need to take into account the culture of the child you adopt, the age, and any special needs.
  • Home Study – Just like with domestic adoptions in Texas, you will need to complete a home study. The Hague Convention has specific home study requirements families must meet to qualify for international adoption. 
  • File for Adoption Eligibility – You and your spouse will need to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to be eligible to adopt a child, and you’ll also need to file for your child to be eligible to adopt with the USCIS.
  • Immigrant Visa – You will need to obtain an immigrant visa for your child. Citizenship is only granted once your child is in the United States. A Texas court then approves the adoption order and the state registrar issues a birth certificate.

With many applications, home studies, and paperwork required, adopting internationally can be overwhelming. We will work closely with you and your adoption agency to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Contact Terry & Roberts today to schedule a consultation with one of our  international adoption lawyers. We handle every case with care and compassion, with the goal of helping you build the family you’ve always wanted.

 Private Adoption

If you are considering adopting a child through independent (or private) adoption, you will need to find a birth mother who is willing to place her child up for adoption.

Special Needs Adoption

Adoption of a child with special needs comes with a separate set of requirements, including the child being at least six years old and having a verifiable physical, mental, or emotional disabling condition as established by an appropriately qualified professional through a diagnosis that addresses: (a) what the condition is; and (b) that the condition is disabling.

Relative Adoption

Adopting a relative includes formally adopting a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other relative as your own child.

Same-sex Couple Adoption

We help same-sex couples with surrogacy contracts and the adoption process for a non-biological parent. If all steps in the adoption process are not handled according to the law, it could lead to your adoption being declared invalid.

The Steps in a Texas Adoption

The steps in a Texas adoption include: filing an application for adoption, submitting to a background check for the prospective parents, providing the court with financial statements proving stability and ability to care for a child, providing proof of marriage, submitting to a home inspection, and ensuring any and all biological parental rights are terminated.

Texas Family Code, Title 5, Chapter 162, deals with all aspects of adoption. The State of Texas has stringent rules, but they are to protect all those involved and to make it essentially impossible for the biological parent to reclaim the child. Potential adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old, financially stable, and responsible mature adults; additionally, they must complete a home study.

Potential adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old, financially stable, and responsible mature adults; additionally, they must complete a home study.

If a baby is placed in a home in Texas, the adoption process cannot be completed and a final order of adoption will not be issued until the child is at least two years old. No adoption of a child of any age is final until the child has lived in the home for a minimum of six months.

Contact Adoption Lawyers Terry and Roberts Today

Our goal is to help families avoid this painful scenario. Contact Terry & Roberts today to schedule a confidential consultation with a seasoned, knowledgeable Texas adoption lawyer. We will help you every step of the way toward building the family of your dreams.

See how we can helpContact Us

Call TODAY!979.849.4387