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Making Your Family Whole

Adopting a child can be a joyful and rewarding experience, but can also involve significant legal and bureaucratic hurdles. Therefore, it is vital to have the assistance of a knowledgeable family law attorney to help minimize the delays, cost and emotional frustration that can accompany the adoption process.

At Law Office of Diane St. Yves, PLLC, in Houston, we help guide you through the adoption proceedings to ensure you understand each step and get the family you have always wanted. We recognize that ultimately the process will end in a court proceeding to finalize the adoption. We can advise you of the ways you can show the court you are a competent parent and guide you throughout the process. Working with us helps to ensure that no detail is overlooked.

Helping With Many Types Of Adoptions

There are many situations where adoption may be a viable option to add to your family. We can help with a wide variety of scenarios. Here are the most common:

Agency Adoptions

When you go through a public agency or a private agency that is licensed or regulated by the state, this is known as a an agency adoption. Children are placed in agencies because they have lost both parents or were abused or abandoned. Charities and social service organizations can also operate an adoption agency. A pregnant woman may use a private agency to find a family for her child. Because an agency is focused on the adoption process, they usually have established steps in place that facilitate this event. An agency can also provide resources to the parties involved. We assist parents who wish to adopt and want professional guidance and support when using an agency.

Independent Adoptions

In some cases, a pregnant woman may find the adoptive parents in a social setting. The adoption is private because it does not involve an agency. Instead the process is facilitated via a trusted person at church, a doctor or an adoption attorney. An attorney is typically involved to handle the paperwork and ensure the process is done according to state laws. The terms of the adoption can be negotiated to fit the needs of the parties involved. In some cases, an open adoption may be desired and beneficial. An “open adoption” means that the birth mother will have contact with the child after the adoption in some way. We assist parents who wish to pursue an independent adoption. We offer the guidance, support and representation that is crucial to ensure a smooth process that is legally sound.

Stepparent Adoptions

In many cases in a second marriage or new relationship, a stepparent wishes to make their role as parent official. This may be because the other birth parent is out of the picture, and the stepparent wants the child to have stability. Because there is already an established family, stepparent adoptions are typically more streamlined. When the birth parent does not consent or cannot be located, a layer of complexity may be added to the process, but by no means does it prohibit the adoption. With stepparent adoptions, it is in your best interest to understand both your rights and responsibilities. We can help. Schedule a consultation with us to discuss the process in more detail, especially if there are issues involving the identity or location of a birth parent.

Relative Or Grandparent Adoption

It may make sense for a relative to step forward and officially adopt a minor child. It’s not unusual for grandparents to adopt their grandchildren if a parent is unable to raise their child. Many issues can cause a grandparent to want to take over the parent role including incarceration, drug and alcohol addiction, or mental health concerns. In many cases, it can be arranged for siblings to stay connected on an ongoing and regular basis.

Let’s Talk About What You Need To Make It Happen

We know there is nothing greater than adding a child to your family. We are here to help make that happen. Our founder, Diane St. Yves, has decades of family law experience and is board certified in family law. Together with attorney Ashley Coleman and the firm staff, we help you through the Texas child adoption process. We serve clients in the Greater Houston and surrounding areas along with South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. Call 281-816-4258 or connect via our online form.