Adoption Lawyer in Tarrant County, Texas

Your Guide to Adoption Law, Process, and Local Resources including an adoption lawyer..

Adoption is a beautiful way to create or expand your family by offering a permanent home to a child in need. If you’re considering adoption in Tarrant County, Texas, it’s important to understand the legal steps, types of adoption, and local court procedures. This guide will walk you through the adoption process, explain how adoption attorneys assist, and provide useful resources for families in Tarrant County.

Our Tarrant County Adoption lawyer helps families with the adoption process. This picture has a gavel indicating the court, a legal pad that has "Adopt" written on it and a family paper cutout.

What Does an Adoption Lawyer Do?

An adoption attorney in Tarrant County helps you navigate the complex legal landscape by:

  • Explaining different adoption options such as private adoption, foster care adoption, stepparent or grandparent adoption.
  • Preparing and filing all necessary legal documents with Tarrant County courts.
  • Representing you during court hearings to ensure your rights and the child’s best interests are protected.
  • Assisting with termination of parental rights, consent issues, or contested cases.

Having an experienced lawyer reduces stress and ensures your adoption is legally sound.

How Does the Adoption Process Work?

The adoption process in Texas generally involves:

  1. Application and Background Checks: Initiated when adopting through foster care or agencies.
  2. Home Study: Conducted by a licensed social worker to assess your home environment.
  3. Training: Required classes such as PRIDE training if adopting through foster care.
  4. Matching and Placement: A child is matched to your family and placed under supervision.
  5. Supervised Placement Period: Typically lasts six months to confirm a stable placement.
  6. Finalization Hearing: Your attorney files a petition, and a Tarrant County judge officially finalizes the adoption.

What Is National Adoption Day?

National Adoption Day is celebrated every November, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, to raise awareness about children in foster care waiting for permanent families. In Tarrant County, the courts often hold special adoption finalization events on this day, offering families a joyful and memorable experience.

Open vs. Closed Adoption

  • Open Adoption: Involves ongoing contact or communication between birth parents and adoptive families, usually agreed upon by both parties.
  • Closed Adoption: No contact or identifying information is shared between birth and adoptive families.

Texas law does not enforce open adoption agreements, so any communication is voluntary and depends on mutual consent.

How an Adoption Lawyer Can Help Grandparents and Stepparents

Adoption attorneys support grandparents and stepparents by:

  • Assisting with termination of parental rights when necessary.
  • Filing petitions and legal documents on your behalf.
  • Ensuring all required consents or waivers are properly obtained.
  • Representing you in Tarrant County courts to finalize the adoption.

Things to Consider Before Adopting

Adoption is a lifelong commitment. Before moving forward, consider:

  • Your emotional readiness to parent.
  • Financial stability and ability to support a child.
  • Availability of a support system to help with parenting challenges.
  • The type of adoption that best fits your family’s needs.

Foster Care and Adoption Statistics for Tarrant County and Texas

  • Texas has over 28,000 children in foster care, with roughly 5,000 awaiting adoption.
  • Tarrant County currently has approximately 1,200 children in foster care.
  • Many children in Texas and Tarrant County are in need of loving, permanent homes.

(Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and AdoptUSKids)

Tarrant County Family Courts – Adoption Information

Adoption cases are heard in the Tarrant County District Courts:

Tarrant County Courthouse
100 West Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1400
Tarrant County Official Website

For adoption filings and case inquiries, contact:
District Clerk’s Office
Phone: (817) 884-1128

Final Thoughts

Adopting in Tarrant County is a life-changing decision that brings hope and stability to children in need. With the right legal guidance, your adoption process can be smooth and legally secure. Contact our skilled adoption attorneys that are familiar with Tarrant County courts to support you every step of the way.