Child Adoption Attorney in Dallas & Fort Worth Area

It is neither easy nor cheap to adopt a child in Texas. Additionally, the adoptive parents must meet certain qualifications to prove that they would make fit parents. The assistance of an experienced adoption lawyer can enhance your chances of success.

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Get a Highly Skilled Lawyer for the Adoption Process in Texas

Adopting a child in Texas can make an incalculable difference in the life of your adopted child. The Texas adoption process is extremely complex, however. If you wish to adopt a child, you need to start planning early, and you should expect delays.

Private adoption is not the only type of adoption. You can adopt your stepchild, for example, or even your grandchild. Find an experienced adoption attorney in Fort Worth, Texas or in Dallas Texas, who can offer you legal guidance.

Attorneys at Family Law of North Texas pose with founder Halina Radchenko

Our Adoption Lawyer Handle Complex Cases in The DFW Area

At Family Law of North Texas, we know Texas adoption law. We also know how to handle your case in a manner that will minimize the stress and confusion that adoptive parents typically face. We handle the following types of cases:

Relative & Grandparent Adoption

Many people don’t know that you can adopt your cousin, your nephew, or your granddaughter. The prerequisite to any of these adoptions is the full termination of parental rights by both biological parents. Only then can the adoption process begin.

Private & Infant Adoption

You can adopt a child by agreeing to the adoption with the parents of the child. You don’t necessarily have to go through an orphanage or an adoption agency. You will, however, need legal assistance to make sure everyone complies with adoption law.

Foster Child & Public Adoption

You can adopt a child out of foster care. The agency can take care of many of the many additional formalities that are required. An experienced adoption lawyer can represent you at case conferences, appeals hearings, court appearances, and other necessary functions.

International & Foreign Adoption

International adoption is a uniquely complicated process because it involves the adoption and/or immigration laws of at least three jurisdictions: Texas, the United States, and the foreign country from which the child is being adopted. Changes in homeland security regulations might also affect your adoption.

CPS Adoption

In a CPS (Child Protective Services) adoption, a court terminates the parental rights of the child’s biological parents. This typically happens over the objections of one or both biological parents. The justification for the termination of parental rights is the “best interests of the child”.

Stepparent Adoption

A stepparent adoption, in which you legally adopt your stepchild, is the most common form of adoption in the US. Since a child cannot have three legal parents, a court must terminate the rights of one of the child’s biological parents before a stepparent adoption is possible.

LGBTQ Adoption

Formally, Texas law does not discriminate against LGBTQ people seeking to adopt. Some religious adoption agencies will not work with gay couples, however. Even among secular adoption authorities, it is easier for gay couples to adopt in some jurisdictions than in others. This is one of the main reasons ‌ you need to hire an adoption lawyer who understands Texas LGBTQ law as it applies to adoption.

Are You in Need of an Experienced Texas Adoption Attorney?

If you need an experienced Texas adoption attorney, don’t delay. Contact Family Law of North Texas at (903) 402-4033, or simply contact us online for a free initial case review.

Adoption Process and Laws in Texas

If you want to adopt a child in Dallas, TX, it might comfort you to know that Texas adoption laws are flexible. Few hard-and-fast rules that apply. Instead of “You must be…” or “You cannot be…”, Texas officials tend to look at adoptions on a case-by-case basis. There are some absolute prohibitions against certain people from adopting (convicted sex offenders, for example).

Just because the laws are flexible, however, doesn’t mean they aren’t detailed and intricate—they can be maddeningly complex if you lack experience in understanding and applying them. Certain aspects of your lifestyle or background, for example, can greatly complicate the process of adoption even if they do not completely rule it out. It can be complex and time-consuming, for example, to adopt a child if:

You are single;
You have a criminal record; or
You have a history of substance abuse problems.

This is a very abbreviated list of factors. You will have to abandon some of your privacy rights.

Requirements for Adopting a Child in Dallas, TX

The process for adopting a child in Texas works something like this, although it varies according to what type of adoption you are seeking:

You (the prospective adoptive parent) file an adoption petition with the appropriate court.
You must submit to a home study investigation. During this process, you must reveal details of your finances and your personal life.
The adoption agency, or another social service agency, will file health, social, education, and genetic history background report on you.
You must pass a criminal history report that will investigate aspects of your criminal record (if any), including arrests that did not lead to convictions.
You must file a petition requesting termination of parental rights. The court will review all evidence and decide whether to allow the adoption.

The operative principle for the entire process is, as always, the “best interests of the child.”

Meet Our Dedicated DFW Family Law Attorney

Halina Radchenko

Halina Radchenko, a dedicated legal professional, is passionate about assisting people during challenging legal situations and specializes in Family Law and Personal Injury. Her commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom; she served as the President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, championing significant reforms and achieving the long-awaited passage of the wrongful death bill.

Order of the Barrister recipient, recognizing outstanding advocacy skills.
Active member of prestigious legal associations, including NYSTLA, Brooklyn Woman’s Bar Association, and New York State Bar Association.

Why Choose a Family Law of North Texas Adoption Lawyer?

At Family Law of North Texas, we rely on our decades of family law experience. We pride ourselves on our communications skills, our availability, and our commitment to treating every client like a member of our family. Clients and peers alike praise us for our professionalism and our results. If you need an adoption attorney in Dallas, Texas, contact us.

Our Successful Cases

Following are examples of some of our recent results:

Obtained a not guilty verdict for a client criminally accused of domestic violence. The criminal matter would have had an effect on the final custody determination. Halina nad her team helped the client in his criminal matter to ensure that we could fight for him to obtain more time with his child moving forward.

We overturned a temporary order of custody returning a child into primary possession of his father prior to a final determination hearing.

We returned a baby girl to her mom after they were separated for a year because of false accusations of the father. The mom was reunited with her younger daughter as the full time custodian. She was also able to obtain expanded visitation rights with her oldest daughter who is in the primary custody of her father.

Won custody on a pretty tough case. A child was taken from his mother where he lived his entire life. The father was on the run staying at various trailer parks and hotels. We were nervous that we would not be able to serve him. We worked with our local investigator. We found the child and the father, served him, and were able to reunite the mother with her child.

We were able to give temporary custody to a woman who was being verbally and physically abused by her husband. She is an immigrant and he would consistently use her immigration status against her by telling her he would have her deported and take her son. When she was ready to leave he tried to file orders of protection and made up allegations. We were able to file an emergency motion asking for our own order of protection, asking that the mother be named temporary primary guardian and we won.

We were able to reunite a child with his father. In this case, the child was in the primary custody of the mother and the father had a right of visitation. We appeared at a hearing where testimony was taken from the mother and the father. We also had a home study conducted on the home of both parents. We found that the mother was neglectful in that she did not help the child with his homework, she allowed him to play endless hours of video games, and the child sustained bruises and burns in her custody. After the hearing, the judge ruled that the father should be the primary guardian while allowing the mother visitation rights with the child.

Represented a man in a child custody matter. During the pendency of that matter, his girlfriend accused him of family violence. We defended the man in his criminal activities. In that action, there was no proof of violence. No photos of the injuries and no medical records documenting any injuries. The complaint was made almost 1, 1/2 months following the alleged incident. A full criminal trial was held. We held a full criminal jury trial. The man was acquitted on all charges.

These are only a few of many examples

Featured Clients Testimonials

Jim

5.0

Car accidents case

Halina Radchenko was so hardworking when she was handling my car accident. Unlike with other attorneys, I always felt supported and confident with her help, and I could not be more pleased with the results!

Julia

5.0

Divorce Case

I really needed a lawyer and a law firm that would go above and beyond for me, and not make me feel like another name on the roster. My trial went smoothly, and I couldn’t be more grateful!

Alan

5.0

Slip and Fall Case

If you live in Dallas and need a personal injury lawyer, I could not recommend Halina and her team more! Professional, communicative, and hardworking, I never anticipated feeling so cared for and heard by a lawyer!

Adopting a Child or Baby in Texas? Contact Us Today!

Call Family Law of North Texas at (903) 402-4033 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. If you are planning on adopting a child or a baby in Dallas, TX, you need to find the best adoption attorney near you. Here at Family Law of North Texas, after nearly 30 years of combined experience, there isn’t much that can happen that we haven’t seen before.

Areas We Serve

Mesquite
Sherman
Dallas / Fort Worth Area
Denton
Denison
Rockwall
McKinney
San Antonio
Houston
McAllen
Frisco
Plano
Bonham

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to adopt a child in Texas?
Adoption is not cheap, but neither is raising a child. The total cost of a Texas private adoption ranges up to $65,000. Attorney fees for adoption in Texas range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on many factors.
What will disqualify you from adopting a child in Texas?
There are very few absolute disqualifications. Age under 21 will automatically disqualify you, and a history as a sex offender will automatically disqualify you, but not much else will disqualify you automatically. There are many other potential disqualifications that are not absolute because they require the exercise of judgment by the authorities (alcohol abuse, for example).

This website is legal advertising material

It does not provide legal advice. The scenarios described in this website are intended to demonstrate legal principles involved with representation in the type of case described. Any current or former clients quoted or specifically identified in these materials have reviewed the firm on a third-party website or platform, such as Google, without compensation. Every legal case is different. Specific past results are not indicative of specific future results. Any information contained herein pertaining to experience or familiarity with particular courts or government agencies should not be construed as an ability or willingness to exert improper influence over the legal system. All services described in these materials and provided by Family Law of North Texas, LLC, and its attorneys, are only performed in compliance with all applicable laws and the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct.