Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Can a person represent themselves to adopt a child...The child was removed from birth mother from CPS, there is no known father. A family aquaitance became the foster parents..the birth mother terminated right and assigned the foster parents all parential rights & also states they can adopt the child. So there is nothing holding them back from adopting the child, except an attorney wanting to charge them 4000.00, i also adopted a child pretty much the same way, it cost 700.00 to adopt here thru an attorney. So again, my question is, can they represent themselves to adopt her?
1 Answer from Attorneys
The simple answer to your question is...Yes.
However, the question is not a simple yes or no question!
Even though there is no father listed -- obviously there was a man involved in the conception process & the "father's rights" must be terminated by the judge.
How easy or hard it is to adopt a child is totally up to the judge.
In Harris County, the judges are very thorough in the adoption process because in the past, years later the adoptions have been contested & the adoptions have been reversed by higher courts. Can you imagine how difficult it was on the child to be removed from the only home they have ever known & turned over to strangers (the bio. mom and/or dad)? Yes, it has happened & the judges don't want it to happen again -- so they make sure that everything is done properly.
Your friends need to shop around & see if they can find a cheaper attorney.
If they qualify, they might be able to find a pro bono (free) attorney. They can look on the State Bar of Texas website for pro bono legal services - it's based on their income.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
