Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Re: adoption

Since a person's parental right is held to be a fundamental right in the U.S., you cannot terminate a person's parental rights without their knowledge.

You are looking for a termination of parental rights and a step-parent adoption. It is actually 2 different lawsuits. However, they are usually done side-by-side using the same lawyers, etc.

The step-parent would have to undergo a criminal background check and there would be a social study.

The child would also have to have his/her own attorney to represent the child's interests. The child must be willing to be adopted.

This legal matter is much too complicated to discuss fully in an email.

If you are interested in discussing this matter further, please feel free to call my office at 713-847-6000.

You can visit my website at www.familylaw4u.com

The deposit to start a step-parent adoption and termination, would be $2,500. Then you enter into a payment plan for the remainder of our legal fees.

Happy New Year!