Houston Adoption Attorney: Obtaining the Best and Fastest AdoptionMelissa E. Palmer is an experienced Houston adoption lawyer who can assist you though any adoption. If you are considering an adoption, whether it is a traditional adoption, stepparent adoption or grandparent adoption, it is absolutely vital that you have a highly-qualified Houston adoption attorney to guide you through this complicated and emotionally charged process. Considerations for Stepparent and Grandparent Adoptions in TexasYour grandchild or stepchild already sees you as his or her loving parent – and thanks to a Houston adoption attorney, you can finally give your unofficial parental title legal clout. As stepparent adoption and grandparent adoptions can be more convoluted than traditional parent adoptions, a Houston adoption attorney can show you the steps that must be taken before you can enjoy your new life with your adopted child. Wondering why stepparent and grandparent adoptions often require legal assistance? In order for stepparent adoption to occur, one of the biological parents must be willing to legally surrender all their parental rights. While this is not an issue if a biological parent is deceased, there can be multiple hurdles that prevent the stepparent from successfully adopting the stepchild. For example, if one of the biological parents refuses to sign over their parental rights or they cannot be found, it is up to the stepparent to prove legal abandonment (this can usually be proven to the court if a parent has not contacted and financially supported the child for over a year). Legally speaking, grandparent adoptions are generally considered to be much less complicated than a stepparent adoption; in fact, they are becoming quite common. In 2009, the American Community Survey reported that over 2.5 million grandparents are legal guardians/adoptive parents to their grandchildren. The adoption process is fairly simple, as family courts prefer to keep adoption within the biological family; therefore, biological grandparents are a natural choice when parents either voluntarily relinquish their parental rights to the child, have their parental right terminated or are deceased. However, this does not mean that grandparent adoptions do not run into their own fair share of legal hurdles. For example, both parents must have parental rights extinguished before a grandparent adoption may occur (opposed to stepparent adoption where one parent retains parental rights). Like any adoption process, having a reputable Houston adoption attorney by your side can help you through the myriad of legal procedures that must occur before you can become a parent to your adopted child. Despite the legal difficulties that can often arise during the process, grandparent and stepparent adoption is highly encouraged. Children need loving guidance and a sense of security within their family in order to thrive. Legally adopting the child can give her or him the foundation to succeed in every facet of their life. Additionally, legally adopting your grandchild or stepchild means that you can cover them under your health insurance, enroll them in school and make important legal decisions for them until they turn eighteen. These vital legal benefits can provide you with the peace of mind you need to raise a happy and healthy adopted child. You are already a parent to your grandchild or stepchild – why not make that a legal reality with the help of a high-qualified Houston adoption attorney? If you do not find the information you are looking for please call 713-218-6900 toll free (866)868-0600 or contact us HoustonDivorceLawyer. Divorce and Family Law Matters From Experienced Houston Divorce Lawyer Services Offered |
