Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Adoption

My husband and I have two nephews we're raising. The mother is not able to care for the children and willing to give her rights up for us to adopt. The father hasn't seen or made an attept to have any contact with the boys since early 1996. We can't locate the father so far on our own. We've had contact with the father's mother and expressed the desire to adopt the boys and their desire to be adopted. My husband is trying to make provisions for the children. The boys were placed by CPS due to physical abuse by the mother during Christmas of 1995. Our insurance will pay some of the adoption, but since the father isn't coming forward the cost of finding and perhaps an involuntary adoption could be outrageous. We were quoted $15,000 each if it were involuntary, there's no way. Are we able to get assistance in adoption since Child Protective Services placed them with us? We've never gone to Court for custody (CPS never required it). We have I guess a long standing emergency guardianship. What can we do to provide security for the boys financially and emotionally?


Asked on 10/19/99, 2:02 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jimmy L. Verner Jr. Verner & Brumley, P.C.

Re: Adoption

I think the fee you have been quoted is absolutely insane.

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Answered on 10/22/99, 1:49 pm
Donald Teller Law Office of Donald E. Teller, Jr., P.C.

Re: Adoption

Sounds like you do not know if the adoption will be voluntary

or not (at least for dad). An involuntary adoption can be

expensive, although it does not necessarily cost what was

stated. It could be less and possibly could be more in a real war.

It depends on what happens. Sounds like you may have

a chance at a voluntary adoption if dad doesn't care one way

or the other and mom signs over her rights. That could be

done for approximately $3-5000 IF all goes well (no guarantee

on the price, just an approximation and again I don't know all

the facts). Check around with other attorneys, you may hear a

better price, but more experienced attorneys are often more

expensive. I hope this helps.

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Answered on 10/21/99, 11:55 pm


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