Dallas-Fort Worth Grandchild Adoption Lawyer Serving Collin, Tarrant, & Rockwall Counties
As a grandparent, you always want what is best for your grandchild, and it can be difficult seeing them live in a difficult situation. Fortunately, there are options available if you believe your grandchild is not being taken care of adequately. With the counseling of an experienced grandparent adoption attorney, you can remove your grandchild from the situation they are currently in and help them begin thriving.
From our offices in Dallas, our attorneys at the Shemesh Family Law, regularly support North Texas grandparents seeking legal custody of their grandchild. Our principal attorney, Amber Shemesh, has more than ten years of experience handling adoption cases and other sensitive family law matters, helping clients protect the best interests of the child as they move through the process and finalize the adoption.
What Is Kinship Adoption?
Kinship adoption, also referred to as relative adoption in Texas, is when a child is legally adopted by another family member, often a grandparent, aunt or uncle when their biological parents have forfeited their parental rights or have been deemed unfit to care for the child.
A kinship adoption can significantly benefit the child by keeping them in a familiar and stable environment. This will minimize the changes the child will face during this time. Additionally, adopting a family member can help them maintain their sense of belonging and identity, as they will be able to engage in family activities and traditions while also preserving their connection with other relatives.
Identifying The Differences Between Guardianship And Adoption
Guardianship and adoption both allow an individual to become the legal caretaker of a minor. However, there are some key differences between these two concepts. Adoption involves a person obtaining parental consent from the biological mother or father of a child to permanently assume the parental rights.
Guardianship differs in that it provides biological parents with the option of keeping their parental rights while allowing another individual to become the caretaker of their child temporarily. In many instances, mothers and fathers can regain their parental rights after a guardianship has been created.
How To Prepare For A Home Study
As a grandparent, you will have the upper hand as the social worker or adoption agency will want to place the child with a relative rather than into an unfamiliar home. However, you will still need to satisfy the requirements of the adoption agency. One prerequisite is the home study, where a social worker will visit your residence to evaluate if the child will be safe living there. To prepare for this, you may want to collect your personal legal documents, such as your driver’s license and social security card. You will also want to look around your home to identify any safety hazards. Keep an eye out for loose railings on staircases, broken locks, or nonfunctioning smoke detectors.
During the home study, the social worker will also ask you a few questions. You may want to research the common questions they might ask and begin thinking about what you want to convey to the social worker to present your best self.
What are the legal requirements for adopting a grandchild or other family member in Texas?
Texas grandparents have a few obligations to complete before legally adopting their grandchild. The first requirement is the termination of parental rights. Once the biological parents have relinquished their rights, you can begin the grandchild adoption process and become the legal guardian of the minor. Next, a social worker will need to visit your residence and perform a home study. The social worker will evaluate the status of your home and determine if the child will be safe living there. This is a prerequisite, regardless of if the child has already been living in your home.
You may also need to obtain consent from the child if they are 12 years of age or older. During the adoption proceedings, the child will be provided with a consent form to sign. After each of these conditions has been met, a court hearing will be held to finalize the adoption.
How does the adoption process differ for grandparents or relatives compared to nonrelatives in Dallas, Fort Worth?
In Texas, the grandchild adoption procedure is the same regardless of whether you are a biological grandparent or another family relative. While state courts will often prioritize kinship adoptions, allowing you to move through the process faster potentially, you will still be compelled to meet every requirement and go through each step as anyone else would.
What factors do Texas courts consider when granting a grandchild or relative adoption?
During the adoption process, the court or adoption agency will evaluate whether you are fit to adopt your grandchild. To do this, they will consider numerous factors your and your partner’s:
- Age
- Health status
- Financial security
- Emotional stability
- Household condition
Each of these factors will show the courts if you are prepared to adopt your grandchild and whether or not living with you will be in the best interests of the child.
Helping Grandparents Promptly Secure Custody
If you are ready for the grandchild adoption process to commence or are just starting to think about adopting your grandchild, our DFW Metroplex attorneys are equipped to help you navigate the challenges that commonly arise during this time and protect your grandparent adoption rights. To receive urgent counsel about adopting your grandchild, do not hesitate to call our Dallas Fort Worth office at 214-432-2501 or email our staff today.