Adoption is a wonderful way to grow a family. Adoptive parents gain the joy of raising a child, and the adopted child is given a loving family and “forever home.” Parents who are adopting for the first time might wonder what the adoption process in Texas looks like. The following is a brief overview of what to expect when adopting a child.
The first general step is to attend an orientation meeting. Here, you learn more about the adoption program and what is required of you.
After you apply to adopt a child, a home study and background check will be conducted. Through the home study, the adoption agency can learn more about you and make sure the child will have a safe and supportive living environment.
Following the home study, the adoption agency will have you sign a contract that will allow the agency to begin looking for a child that will be a good match for you. Some adoptions are open, in which you meet the child’s biological parents and keep in touch with them. Other adoptions are closed, meaning you may get some basic information about the child’s biological parents but do not meet them or even know who they are.
After that, the child will be placed in your home, and the adoption agency will monitor you for around six months to make sure the placement is appropriate. Following that, the adoption can be legally finalized with the assistance of an attorney.
These steps may seem daunting, but it is important to remember that you can seek legal counsel at any point in the adoption process. Family law attorneys who handle adoption cases can be a useful resource for adoptive parents.