Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Hello,

I am interested in adopting my (step)son and I have a question as to where I will need to file the paperwork for adoption; here in the US or in the Philippines. My wife was previously married and that is when she had the child. Shortly after giving birth her ex husband left her. After we met, we were able to get her marriage annulled and I brought her and my (step)son over to the US on a Fiance visa and married shortly after. However, since the annulment where the court awarded her sole custody took place in the Philippines, I don't know if I need to apply for adoption here in the US or with the courts in the Philippines. Also, we are not really aware of where her ex is or even whether he is still in the Philippines (at the time we met, my wife thought he might be in Singapore working for an airline company) and don't know how to contact him. Do I need to get a lawyer in the Philippines to handle this or can a US based lawyer handle it here?


Asked on 3/25/11, 10:33 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

I would contact an attorney in Harris County since based on your zip code that is where you appear to live now.

That attorney can assist you.

Step-parent adoptions are done all the time. It takes awhile.

I suggest that you contact Patricia Bushman at 713-807-9405. Tell her that I sent you to her. I'm not taking any cases right now since my mom just died. I rent space in Pat's office.

Good luck! I was adopted & adoptions are the only "fun" cases that attorneys get to do in family courts. The judges like them too!

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Answered on 3/25/11, 7:27 pm


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