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Family Law Articles related to Adoption
These are family law articles related to Adoption. These family law articles are provided by America Family Law Center and are often representative of the types of matters on which America Family Law Center provides assistance. If you need assistance with any family law related matter, or know someone who does, contact America Family Law Center today. We can help.
Topic – Adoption
Adoption in Texas
Adoption is the process of adopting a child, which can be both rewarding and challenging. It is important to know what you are committing to before you adopt.
State adoption laws tend to vary from state to state, although there has been an effort to adapt state laws to the standards outlined by the Uniform Adoption Act.
Texas adoption laws allow just about any adult to adopt a child (although the consent of the child is required if he or she is 12 years of age or older). Although same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide after the Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergfell v. Hodges ruling, Texas lawmakers have attempted to pass legislation that would allow private (but state-funded) adoption agencies to refuse adoption applicants on the basis of religious belief. The latest such bill, called the Freedom to Serve Children Act, would allow discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, religious minorities, and others hoping to adopt a child. But it’s not clear whether such a law would survive judicial review.
How much does it cost to adopt a child in Texas?
Licensing requirements for foster or adoption
The training provides an opportunity for the family and the family’s agency to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the training meetings at any time. There is no charge for the training meetings. Foster and adoptive parents generally train together.
Basic Requirements
The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must:
The training provides an opportunity for the family and DFPS to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time. There is no charge for the meetings. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.
Additional Foster Care Requirements
In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must:
Responsibilities of Foster and Adoptive Families
Foster Parents:
Adoptive Parents:
Can foster families adopt?
Yes! Many families are interested in both fostering and adopting. They agree with the agency that the children’s needs come first. In most cases, this means helping prepare children for reunification with their birth family, mentoring the birth parents, or working toward a relative or kinship placement.
When termination of parental rights is in the children’s best interest and adoption is their plan, then foster parents who have cared for the children will be given the opportunity to adopt. Dual certification of parents to both foster and adopt speeds up the placement process, reduces the number of moves a child makes and allows relationships to evolve with the initial placement process. Nearly half the adoptions of children in DFPS foster care are by their foster families.
Can adoptive families provide foster care?
Yes! Adoptive families who are willing to accept placement of children who are not yet legally free for adoption but have a plan for adoption can also become certified as foster families. This dual certification increases the opportunities for successful adoptions. In some areas of the state, a “buddy system” has been developed in which experienced foster families, who understand the challenges and rewards of foster parenting, are available to share experiences with new families and give support.
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Posted: 10-28-2017English | Español
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