Dallas-Fort Worth Adoption Lawyers Serving Collin, Tarrant, & Rockwall Counties
Adoption is often the happiest event there is in a Texas courtroom, and for good reason. A family is finally complete when an adoption is official. In some inter-family adoptions, the day that a child is taken into a relative’s home to live is the hallmark of when life finally stabilizes. No matter what your adoption needs, attorney Amber Shemesh can help.
Our Dallas-Fort Worth adoption lawyers serves clients from throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, including residents of Dallas County, Collin County, Tarrant County, Rockwall County, Denton County and Hunt County. Contact our adoption lawyers for your initial consultation.
Types Of Adoptions
At Shemesh Family Law, our Dallas-Fort Worth adoption lawyers have experience with various adoption situations. Our goal is to make your family whole. We have experience and can help you with:
- Adopting your foster child
- Adopting a child through an agency
- Adopting your stepchild
- Adopting your grandchild or other family member
- Private adoptions
- Open adoptions
- International adoptions
The adoption process can be overwhelming because it is wrought with legal jargon, and the state requires a good quantity of paperwork. We can help you understand each step of the process and guide you through every form so that there are no surprises or delays. We can also assist with name change requests.
What It Takes To Adopt
Most of us would like to believe that all it takes to adopt a child is a willing and open heart. While this is perhaps the most important aspect, there are other requirements. These include that adoptive parents be over the age of 21 and financially stable, responsible and mature.
All prospective parents are subject to a background check, and you will need to provide references from family members and nonrelatives. If you are married or divorced, you will need to provide this documentation as well.
You will additionally need to complete a home study, and all adults in the home will need to undergo a criminal background and child abuse check. If you meet each of these requirements, you and your partner or spouse will be allowed to move further in the process and potentially finalize the adoption.
In addition to acting as your legal advocate, our Dallas-Fort Worth adoption lawyers provide support, guidance, and insight throughout the entire process, from your first phone call to the firm to the day the adoption is official.
How To Ensure A Successful Adoption
Adopting a child takes immense preparation and effort. Families who fail to plan for the process properly may quickly find it difficult to meet each of the requirements necessary to adopt a child. To increase the validity of your adoption application, be sure to start communicating with your spouse or partner and other family members about adopting a child as soon as possible. During this time, you will be able to discuss concerns that any of your family members have and collaborate to resolve these matters before taking further action.
Before you begin the adoption process, you will also want to talk with your spouse about whether you would like to adopt an infant, a child or even a teenager. Ensuring you and your spouse are on the same page is essential to a smooth adoption process and to avoid conflict in the future.
The next step you should take is to confirm that you are financially secure and able to adequately provide for the child after finalizing the adoption. Bringing a child into your home will undoubtedly increase your household expenses, so it is imperative that you have the budget to care for them and meet their needs. Additionally, there will be many different expenses that occur during the adoption process, such as filing fees and home study fees.
You will also want to review the home study process to ensure your house is prepared for the inspection. Be sure to identify any potential child safety hazards in your home and either repair or remove the threat immediately. Clearing out a bedroom for the child is also something that can show you are prepared and ready to welcome the child into your life.
Finally, to limit the possibility of making costly mistakes, you may want to find a trustworthy adoption attorney to work alongside. An attorney can help you meet every requirement and ensure that you are prepared for the entire adoption process.
Here To Help You
When you are ready to take the next step, get in touch. Call Dallas-Fort Worth adoption attorney Amber Shemesh and the team at the firm at 214-432-2501, or reach out via our confidential website connect email. We represent clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Serving both English and Spanish-speaking clients.
Se habla español.