What is the Best Type of Adoption for a Gay Couple?

For same-sex couples, adoption is sometimes the only option if they want to have children. Sure, you can consider a surrogate. But finding someone you trust who is also willing to carry your child is almost impossible. If you want to have a family, you have to be open to the idea of adoption. Adopting a baby isn’t as easy as some people think. We’re always hearing about how many babies out there need a good, loving home. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can just apply to adopt a child and be approved.

Adoption involves a fine balance. You’d imagine that a child would be better off with an adoptive family than in foster care. That doesn’t mean the courts are willing to place a baby with just any candidate. It’s important that the adoptive parents are qualified and are going to make good parents.

Obviously, they’re not going to let someone adopt a child if they’re clearly unfit. For example, if someone has lost custody of their own children, the courts will be reluctant to let them adopt a child. The same goes for people who have a violent criminal history. This isn’t the kind of person we’d want to raise a child.

Aside from these obvious examples, it’s hard to say who would make a good parent. This is why there are adoption agencies, judges and guardians who look out for the best interests of children.

For gay couples, the scrutiny level is much higher than it is for straight couples. This is why it’s a good idea to have an LGBT lawyer in Houston help you through the process.

Is Using an Adoption Agency a Good Idea for Same-Sex Couples?

One option for adopting a baby is through an adoption agency. These agencies match up women who want to give their child up for adoption with prospective parents. They screen both the pregnant women and the applicants.

Adoption agencies do background checks to make sure applicants would make a good parent. They do financial and criminal background checks. They also conduct aggressive interviews and home studies to see if you’ll make a good parent to a child.

The problem with adoption agencies is a lot of them are judgmental. Despite the fact that they accept applications from gay couples, they don’t always have the best intentions. A lot of people who run the adoption agencies are reluctant to place children with gay parents. This means you could spend years and thousands of dollars chasing a dream that’s never going to come true.

The Benefits of a Private Adoption

With a private adoption, you don’t have to worry so much about this scrutiny. Yes, you’ll still have to complete the necessary background checks. However, you don’t have to worry about the bias and discrimination that goes into the decision-making process.

The thing with private adoptions is that you have to find the child yourself. There are websites and other companies who can help with this process. However, you want to be hesitant about an adoption that starts with an advertisement on sites like Craigslist.

People who are serious about placing their child up for adoption don’t typically post on free websites. They use attorneys or adoption agencies. It’s a good idea to steer clear of sites like this. An LGBT lawyer in Houston can help you with this.

Most gay couples who do private adoptions find their own candidates. You may know someone through family or friends who is looking to place their baby up for adoption. Or, perhaps you’ve already adopted one baby and the birth mother is pregnant again. The more you know and trust the person having the baby, the greater the odds that the adoption comes through.

The good news about a private adoption is that you don’t have to worry about the discrimination factor. Gay couples looking to adopt will find less scrutiny when they use a private adoption.

You still have to go through the legal process in Texas of adopting a child. But you won’t have to worry about being denied a child over and over again based on the fact that you’re gay.

If You’re Looking to Adopt, Contact an LGBT Lawyer in Houston

If you’re looking to adopt a baby, you want to make sure you handle it properly. There are certain things you can do to increase your chances of getting a child. A private adoption seems to be the best option for same-sex couples who want to adopt in Texas.

To ensure that your adoption is handled perfectly, call Eddington & Worley today and speak with an LGBT lawyer in Houston, Texas. He can walk you through the process and protect you every step of the way.