Step-Parent Adoptions
All people are equal before the law. However, a good attorney makes a significant difference.
Working With San Antonio Stepparents To Complete Their Families
A stepparent adoption is when a stepparent moves to adopt their spouse’s child who has been living with the adoptive parent for at least six months. At Sralla Family Law PLLC, we have helped stepparents in Bexar County and the surrounding region since 2006. If you want to adopt your stepchild formally, you can rely on our San Antonio adoption lawyers to facilitate every step.
How Do I Adopt My Stepchild?
The process of adopting your stepchild starts with the filing of a petition for stepparent adoption and a concurrent request for the termination of the birth parents’ parental rights. Termination can be based on a number of factors, the most common of which are:
- A birth parent’s abandonment of the child for a lengthy period of time while expressing an intent not to return
- A birth parent’s failure to support the child financially for a substantial period of time
- The execution by a birth parent of an Affidavit for Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights
Once the termination process is complete, the court will order the preparation of a pre-adoptive home screening and post-placement report into the circumstances, living conditions, overall home environment and fitness of the adoptive parent to take responsibility for their stepchild. Texas law also requires, in addition to a completed home study, a genetic history and criminal background report on the prospective parent.
While in other types of adoptions, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to safeguard the interests of the child or children involved, the court typically will not do so in a stepparent adoption because the biological parent is the managing conservator of the child or children and is usually deemed able to sufficiently represent the interests of their child or children.
After all the proper documents are approved and on file with the court and assuming no party has issued a legal challenge to the adoption, the court will hear the testimony of the adoptive stepparent, their spouse and any other necessary party to the adoption and presumably grant the adoption.
When The Child’s Other Biological Parent Isn’t There
Often, the biological parent whose rights are subject to termination is unknown or cannot be located. In such a case, the court will typically appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the interests of the missing party in the case. When this process is invoked, the attorney ad litem will exercise due diligence to locate the missing party for the purposes of providing them with an opportunity to object to or challenge the termination of his/her parental rights. If the attorney ad litem is unable to locate the missing party, they will report such findings, or lack thereof, to the court at the final hearing.
The Experience That It Takes For Successful Adoptions
Our stepparent adoption lawyers know the ins and outs of all forms of adoption in Texas. No matter what challenges lie ahead, we are confident that we can navigate them with the skills it takes to formalize your adoption. Time and time again, we have shown ourselves to be efficient and knowledgeable in Texas adoption law. Even a small misstep in the adoption process can draw the time out longer or cost you substantially monetarily. That is why we use our considerable prowess to make it as streamlined as possible for you.
Talk To A Stepparent Adoption Lawyer In An Initial Consultation
Are you ready to adopt? Sralla Family Law PLLC is ready to help you. Please call us at(210) 212-5656(210) 212-5656 or send us an email to schedule a consultation with a San Antonio adoption attorney.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In San Antonio?
A divorce case can cost anywhere from $2,000.00 to $10,000.00 and up in San Antonio. This price range typically varies based on the complexity of each particular case, the extent to which the matter is contested, the aggressiveness of the family law attorneys involved, whether a jury trial is requested and many other often unpredictable factors.
Where Do I Go For A Divorce?
If you hire a family law divorce lawyer, your lawyer will file your divorce petition electronically. If you are filing your divorce without the help of a family law attorney, you can do so at the Family Law Staff Attorney’s Office at the Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio, Texas 78205.
How Much Does It Cost To File For Divorce In San Antonio?
A divorce without children typically costs around $350.00, while a divorce involving children typically costs about $401.00. These costs vary from county to county.
What Is A Spouse Entitled To In A Divorce In Texas?
Either spouse is entitled to a just and right division (roughly 50%) of the community estate and, in certain extreme cases, a disproportionate share (greater than 50%) of the community estate. This includes all assets acquired during the marriage, but does not include a spouse’s separate property.
How Do I Get A Divorce With No Money?
Getting a divorce with absolutely no money is difficult but not impossible. The party seeking to file for divorce can visit the Family Law Staff Attorney’s Office at the Bexar County Courthouse to obtain a packet of information to assist in preparing and filing the paperwork for starting a divorce case. The filing fee can be waived if the filing party prepares an affidavit of indigency declaring that he or she has no money. Another alternative is to seek free legal aid or the assistance of a pro-bono lawyer.
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To learn more about what our team can do to help you, give us a call at (210) 212-5656(210) 212-5656 or use our online contact form.
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Let Sralla Family Law PLLC guide you through your divorce with the care and dedication you deserve. Contact us today at (210) 212-5656 or send us an email for an initial consultation. Our divorce attorneys in San Antonio will help you turn the page to a new chapter in your life.