Texas Adoption: Overview of the Law
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated April 06, 2018
Choosing to bring a child into your home through adoption is a major decision that will alter your life and the child's life forever. With any type of adoption, there are rights, responsibilities, and obligations that accompany the eventual bliss that you will experience when the child is officially part of your life.
Legal Overview of Texas Adoptions
Although the relevant laws concerning Texas adoptions are best interpreted with an attorney's assistance, it doesn't hurt to have a plain language explanation as a starting point for analysis. The chart below provides a summary of information concerning the legal overview of the adoption process in Texas, including links to the applicable statutes.
Statutes |
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Termination of parental rights |
In most cases, the parental rights of both biological parents must be terminated for an eligible adoption. Step parent adoptions
Consent Needed for Adoption
No Parental Consent Adoption is possible without parental consent only if:
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Background Information |
Information regarding the child to be adopted and the prospective adoptive parents must be obtained and provided to the court.
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Finalization |
Legal Standard After the parties have given testimony and the court has examined the various reports, the judge will make the adoption decision. If the adoption is for the "best interest of the child," the court terminates the parent-child relationship and renders the adoption order. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Related Resources for Texas Adoption Overview
Discuss Adoption with an Experienced Attorney
Adopting a child requires the completion of numerous legal requirements. If you're involved in an adoption, it's important to find the right person to help you navigate through the process as easily as possible. Contact a Texas adoption attorney right away.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.