Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

step-parent adoption

I am a newley wed and my wife has a son from a previous unmarried relationship. I have been with and lived with the child since he was 10mo he is now 21/2. His named father on the birth cert. lives in NJ and us in TX. The presumed father has not seen his son in about a year and a half, he has never paid child support nor has he offered any support in any way before, during, and after the birth. My wife used to take his son to NJ to stay with him once a month for about a week. We stopped taking him to NJ because there was no finacial support from the presumed father, and we felt that if he wanted a relationship then he should establish one on his own and not with our help. The presumed father doesn't contact his son and if he does he will call the house at 1 or 2 oclock in the morining asking to talk to his 2 yr old son. I was just wondering if the adoption process was going to be long and expensive and do I have a pretty good chance of having his rights terminated. Thanks for your time.


Asked on 5/26/03, 10:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

Re: step-parent adoption

A step-parent adoption is actually 2 lawsuits. First the rights of the father are terminated and then the step-parent adoption occurs.

The 2 lawsuits are a slow process. If the father willingly signs his rights away, then it goes faster.

The court will appoint an attorney to represent the interests of the child. There is a social study done, and a criminal background check done.

I think my office charges less than most other attorneys on step-parent adoptions. I charge a deposit of $2,000 then you enter into a weekly payment plan with my office. The cost of the attorney ad litem for the child starts around $1,000 - $1,500. Social study is around $50. Criminal background check is around $50.

If you have any other questions, please give me a call.

Fran Brochstein

www.familylaw4u.com

713-847-6000

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Answered on 5/27/03, 5:09 pm


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