Fort Worth and Weatherford Area Adoption Attorney Bob Leonard is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. As an adoptive parent himself, he knows the value of adoption. Children never outgrow the need for a parent.
As a family law expert, Bob Leonard and our team of family law professionals truly know the ins and outs of the adoption process. We will help you navigate the court system so that you can focus on your family and not on the legal details.
Whether you adopt an infant, a toddler or an older child, we make the adoption process a special journey for your family.
QUICK ADOPTION STATISTICS
- In 2022, almost 214,000 children entered the U.S. foster care system, and infants represented over 70% of the total increase.
- On any given day, there are approximately 391,000 children in foster care in the United States.
- In 2021, 19,130 (9%) aged out of the U.S. foster care system, and a majority left without the emotional and financial support necessary to succeed in life that other children can receive within a family. 1
- 53,500 children and youth were adopted in 2021
For in depth aboutTexas Adoption requirements and statistics by clicking here to read more.
The adoption process is pretty straightforward but there are a lot of documents and procedural items that must be done just right. It is critically important to have an experienced adoption lawyer at your side to ensure that all of the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. The last thing you want is to have a problem later on down the road with your adoption. Adoption Cards to Celebrate New Family Members
If the biological parents are living, their rights will be terminated prior to an adoption. Once you decide to adopt, let your Fort Worth adoption lawyer know as many details about the parent or parents to be terminated so that the proper legal service is obtained.
If the biological parent(s) are willing to relinquish their parental rights, then they will be notified and provided with the appropriate documents for signature. This is, by far, the simplest in terms of an adoption-termination. The signed documents will be presented to the court at the time of the adoption.
Sometimes the biological parent will not agree to the adoption. In this situation, as an experienced adoption attorney, Bob will provide you with options. It may be possible to negotiate or mediate, or it may require full-blown litigation. In any case, he is well-qualified and able to handle the matter for you.
If you are a stepparent looking to adopt your spouse’s child, and if the biological parent to be terminated agrees, the process is a bit more streamlined. However, there are many legal pitfalls to avoid. Therefore, it is still necessary to hire a skilled Fort Worth adoption attorney to handle the matter. That way there are no worries and no mistakes.
Again, if you are a relative of the birth parent(s) and they are willingly placing their child with you, the process is simpler. Even so, please hire an experienced adoption lawyer well-versed in family law to assist you. Then you have the peace of mind and certainty that you have done everything in accordance with Texas law. Adoption Guide for Parents
Foster care adoption is a rewarding way to offer hope to a child. While foster care is intended to be temporary, there are many children who spend years in foster care. Children over the age of nine are less likely to be adopted quickly than infants and young children. Some children never find a forever home. These children are more likely than average to end up homeless, unemployed and addicts. If you are a foster parent who is ready to adopt, contact us today.
Families who want to adopt worry about the cost. There are several available adoption tax credits and benefits that may be able to offset your adoption expenses. In 2016, the Adoption Tax Credit was a maximum $13,460. Thus far, this tax credit has increased annually. Ask us about tax credits for adoptive families.
Attorney Services Areas for Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC Adoption Law Practice.
Law Office of Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC
Open: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
in Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC
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