San Antonio Agency Adoption Lawyers
Many families who are interested in adoption utilize an adoption agency to try to simplify the process. However, even agency adoptions can be confusing and overwhelming, so families can still benefit from the assistance of an experienced family attorney. Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. can handle all communication between you, the adoptive parents, and the adoption agency. We will work to facilitate your adoption process every step of the way.
Our qualified San Antonio agency adoption attorneys are experienced in all aspects of the adoption through an agency process. For a completely free initial consultation to discuss your adoption case, call us today at (210) 349-9933 or fill out a contact form and someone will respond to you shortly.
Why Hire a Lawyer to Help With My Agency Adoption?
The adoption process can be complex, frustrating, and intimidating. A qualified agency adoption lawyer can aid you with every detail of the adoption process, from the choice to pursue an open or closed adoption, to completing the paperwork that accompanies an adoption. The agency will also conduct one or more home studies during the adoption process to determine that you and your spouse are fit to adopt and raise a child. A knowledgeable agency adoption attorney can help you prepare for these home visits and communicate more effectively with the caseworker, helping your adoption go as smoothly as possible.
With such a long, complex process comes a higher risk of something being tied up, lost, or accidentally discarded in the system. This can create a great deal more stress for you and your spouse. An experienced agency adoption lawyer will help to smooth over the bumps in the process, helping you to achieve your ultimate goal: welcoming a new child into your family.
Why Choose Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P.?
Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. is exclusively focused on family law, including adoption through an agency. With our attorneys’ decades of combined experience, our legal team will be able to deliver results for you and your family by working to ensure that the adoption process goes as smoothly as possible. We are committed to thoroughly assessing the unique needs of each of our clients, giving them the attention they deserve. Our experienced adoption attorneys strive to ensure that your adoption is successful, resulting in your ability to raise a happy and healthy child.
All of our attorneys have been named Super Lawyers over the past decade, with numerous accolades from the San Antonio Bar Association. Furthermore, each and every partner at our firm is Board Certified to practice Family Law in Texas, making us experts and specialists in the field. Less than 1% of attorneys in Texas hold this distinction. When it comes to adoption in Texas, there is no better resource to have on your side than Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P..
How the Adoption Process Works
There are a number of steps in the adoption process itself, as well as several qualifications that must be met.
Adoption Qualifications
You and your spouse must meet the basic qualifications in Texas to be considered for adoption. These criteria include:
- Both you and your spouse must be 21 years of age
- Demonstrated financial stability
- Consenting to provide a significant amount of background information
- Participating in one or more home studies
- Providing character references, proof of marriage, and criminal background checks
Choosing the Type of Adoption
You may adopt domestically or internationally. International adoptions often require additional procedures, and certain countries have blanket bans on adoptions by United States citizens.
You must then decide whether you want to pursue an open or closed adoption. Open adoptions allow for a number of different modes and amounts of communication between the adopted child and the birth parents. Closed adoptions do not allow any communication between the adopted child and the birth parents.
There are benefits and drawbacks to every kind of adoption, so it is important to consult with your adoption attorney to determine which kind of adoption is best for you and your family.
Completing Adoption Home Studies
Home studies are a required part of the adoption process to make sure that your household is a good fit to raise an adopted child. Adoption agencies will often include this as part of their services. Generally, agencies conduct home studies in the following manner:
- A caseworker will visit your household to discuss you and your spouse’s backgrounds and lifestyle, as well as to assess your personal strengths and skills in meeting the needs of an adopted child.
- The caseworker or agency will conduct a criminal background check. This is typically performed in the state from which you are adopting the child (for example, if you are living in Texas and the child you wish to adopt lives in Nevada, the criminal background check will be performed in Nevada).
- The caseworker will collect medical background information.
- The caseworker will collect financial background information.
Your lawyer can help you prepare for your home studies to ensure you put your best foot forward and are prepared for whatever questions the caseworker may ask.
Finalizing the Adoption
Once the adopted child and the adoptive parents are matched, there are a number of steps to be completed, including:
- The agency will conduct a number of post-placement visits for the length of time that the state of Texas mandates.
- Post-adoption paperwork
- Finalization of the adoption: This can only happen after a specific period of time following the placement.
- Post-placement contact between the birth parents and the adopted child, if any.
Your lawyer can help you with your post-adoption paperwork and assist you if any snags appear along the way.
Contact Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. Today
The San Antonio adoption attorneys at Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. bring our extensive experience and focus on family law to every adoption case we handle. Our experienced lawyers will help you through the complex and sometimes frustrating process of adoption. Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. manages each step of the adoption process on your behalf, from your initial decision to adopt to post-adoption document filings and finalization.
Our capable and compassionate attorneys are ready to help you achieve the goal of becoming a loving parent to a child. Contact us today at (210) 349-9933 to schedule a 100% free initial consultation for your adoption case.