Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Sole Custody

Lived with my boyfriend and got pregnant - daughter born 1998. We split in 1999 and he went back to Mexico and have not seen or heard from him since.

I remarried in 2001 and had 3 more children with my husband and now he wants to adopt daughter and give her his last name.

Can we do this without daughter's dad consent?

Need information on how to go about this and approximate cost.

Thanks.


Asked on 4/04/05, 1:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

Re: Sole Custody

If the father cannot be located, the court will appoint an attorney to try to find him or to represent his interests if he cannot be found.

My office does not flat-rate cases.

In a step-parent adoption, we require a deposit of at least $1,500. Then a weekly payment plan. Normally a step-parent adoption takes several months to complete. There will need to be a social study done and your husband will have to have the police do a criminal background check on him.

You will also need to pay for an attorney to represent the interests of the child.

I would anticipate all costs exceeding $5,000. It could run much more.

Occasionally, the costs are less than $5,000 but I prefer that people be pleasantly surprised when the costs are less than we anticipate.

Fran Brochstein

www.familylaw4u.com

713-847-6000

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Answered on 4/04/05, 2:56 pm


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