Fort Worth Adoption Lawyer
Helping Families Grow in Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Wise, Hood, Denton, Somervell, and Jack Counties
Adoption offers a meaningful path to creating or expanding your family. At the Law Offices of Mark M. Childress, our Fort Worth adoption lawyers guide prospective adoptive parents in Texas through each step and help them reach a positive outcome during an often complex legal journey.
Discuss your goals with our Fort Worth adoption lawyers by calling (817) 497-8148 or reaching out online.
Closed vs. Open Adoption
You may get the opportunity to choose between a closed and an open adoption.
Open Adoption
In an open adoption, the adoptee's biological parent remains in contact with them (and you) post-adoption.
While many adoptive parents balk at the idea of their adopted child's parents maintaining contact, open adoption does have benefits. When your child is old enough to learn they’re adopted, they may want to seek out their biological parents. An open adoption makes this easier and can also help your child learn more about their culture if they’re of a different ethnicity or culture.
In Texas, your agreement about whether an adoption will be open or closed is usually documented in writing so everyone is clear on expectations from the beginning. The level of contact can range from occasional letters or photos to regular in-person visits, and a Fort Worth adoption attorney can help you think through what feels right for your family. We often walk clients through practical questions—such as how updates will be shared, what boundaries should be in place, and how to talk with the child over time—so that the arrangement supports the child’s stability instead of creating confusion.
Closed Adoption
In a closed adoption, the adoptee's parent has no contact with them (or you) once the adoption is finalized.
With a closed adoption, records are generally sealed, and the child may not have immediate access to information about their biological family. Some families feel this offers more privacy and emotional space to bond, especially in the early years. However, there may still be limited ways for the child to seek information later under Texas law, and we can explain what is and is not typically available in Tarrant County courts. Our role is to help you weigh these long-term considerations and document a plan that reflects your values, your comfort level, and the child’s best interests.
Types of Adoption in Texas
These types include:
Domestic Foster Care Adoption
Domestic foster care adoption is a widely chosen option in the United States. When you adopt from a foster care program, you will work with adoption professionals, complete background checks and mandatory parenting classes, and participate in a home study to ensure the home environment meets program standards before moving forward with adoption.
Domestic foster care adoption may be right for you if:
- You want to adopt an older child;
- You can handle parenting a child who may have trauma;
- You want to work with foster care professionals throughout the adoption;
- You want to adopt for a lower cost.
Domestic Private Agency Adoption
In a private agency adoption, you work with a private adoption agency to adopt a child. Most private agencies use the same procedures as state officials for the adoption process, requiring parents to pass a background check, attend parenting classes, and complete a home study before proceeding with the adoption.
Private agency adoption may be right for you if:
- You want to adopt a baby;
- You want to have more agency in the adoption process;
- You don't care as much about working with foster care professionals;
- Cost isn't a barrier for you.
International Adoption
The final type of adoption we're covering today is international adoption. In international adoption, you work with professionals at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adopt a child from another country.
International adoption may be right for you if:
- Cost isn't a barrier (international adoption often requires flying to and from different countries multiple times and can be quite expensive);
- You want to adopt a child from a different culture;
- You don't mind waiting to adopt (international adoption often takes significantly more time than the other options).
If you're considering adopting, you should speak with a reputable Fort Worth adoption lawyer to explore the different types of adoption further and settle on whatever option is best for your family.
Each path to adoption in Texas comes with its own timelines, legal requirements, and emotional considerations, so it can be helpful to compare them with someone who understands how local agencies and courts operate. We often help families in Fort Worth look at factors like age range, sibling groups, medical needs, and budget to decide whether foster care, private agency, or international adoption is more realistic. By talking openly about your goals, concerns, and any prior experience with children, we can outline what the process would likely look like for you and help you avoid common missteps that might delay approval or placement.
Stepparent Adoptions
One of the most common types of adoptions we handle is stepparent adoption. While it is wonderful when a stepparent wants to adopt and raise a stepchild as his or her own, there are important legal issues that must be handled properly by a knowledgeable attorney.
The first issue to address in a stepparent adoption is the termination of the biological parent’s rights. This is a very complex issue and for good reason, as the termination of parental rights is irrevocable.
Our Fort Worth adoption attorneys focus on making sure that parents and children understand the implications of adoption so that a positive solution can be reached efficiently.
In many Tarrant County stepparent adoptions, there are additional requirements, such as background checks for the stepparent and, in some cases, a social study of the home. Courts may also consider how long the stepparent has been involved in the child’s life and whether the child is old enough to express a preference about the adoption. We help families gather the necessary documents—such as marriage certificates, prior court orders, and proof of support—and prepare for any required hearings so that the judge has a clear picture of the existing relationship. Taking the time to prepare these materials carefully can make the process smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.
Exceptional Legal Representation
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Direct Access To Your Attorney
Our Attorneys personally handle each case themselves. You will have direct access to your attorney to be able to get the answers that you need.
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TransparencyHonesty and transparency are critical in building trust with your attorney. You will always know what is going on with your case every step of the way.
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Team Oriented
At our firm you're not just a case number, our board-certified staff will always know the status of your case and help to make your situation more manageable.
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Personalized Approach
Our board-certified team understands that no two cases are the same. Your strategy will be tailored specifically to you and your family's goals.
