Termination and Adoption in Denton and Surrounding Areas
While adoptions are one of the most enjoyable legal procedures, they can be complex and time consuming and they require the assistance of an experienced attorney to navigate the process.
Of course, the adoption process cannot start until after termination of one or both of the biological or legal parents’ parental rights has occurred. There are very specific requirements and procedures that must be complied with in order to accomplish both a termination and adoption. Brandi Underwood has been handling adoptions in Denton, Collin, and Cooke counties for more than fourteen years and can help you navigate those procedures.
Termination
In some cases, termination may have already occurred in conjunction with a prior Child Protective Services or some other type of family law case.
In the event that termination has not previously occurred, it will be necessary to identify the legal grounds for termination of one or both parent’s parental rights. Those grounds can include a parent’s failure to make court ordered child support payments for a designated period of time, a parent’s use of a controlled substance in a way that placed their child in danger, a parent behaving in a way or allowing the child to be around someone who behaves in a way that places the child in physical or emotional danger, and other legal grounds.
Termination also requires that each parent whose rights you are seeking to terminate must be formally served with notice of the suit.
Failure to correctly establish the grounds for termination, comply with the notice requirements and to meet the other procedural requirements of the law could prevent termination and a subsequent adoption.
Adoption
Once a termination has occurred, a suit for adoption can be initiated. In the state of Texas, pursuit of adoption will require the prospective adoption parent or parents to submit to a criminal history evaluation. A social study evaluation is also required in most cases. With the possible exception of a step-parent adoption, the appointment of an attorney to represent the best interests of the child will likely be necessary. In addition to these procedural requirements, the law requires that particular legal documents be submitted to the court confirming compliance with legal parameters.
Even when all the legal parameters are met, it is still necessary to demonstrate to the court that adoption is in the best interest of the child and, in the case of an older child, desired by the child. For these reasons. It is essential to have an attorney experienced in handling terminations and adoptions guide you through the process.
If you need assistance with a suit for termination and adoption in North Texas, contact Brandi Underwood for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. With more than fourteen years of experience serving clients in Denton, Aubrey, Pilot Point, Sanger, Krum, Carrollton, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Plano, Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Anna, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, The Colony, and the surrounding areas, Brandi Underwood experience to guide you through the complex legal process and in making the process of adding a new member to your family as simple and joyful as possible.