San Antonio LGBTQ+ Adoption Attorney

Lots of kids need a good home. They need loving parents who want to adopt them. And, there are plenty of people out there willing to adopt. The problem is when it comes to LGBTQ+ parents, the law doesn’t treat them the same way. The truth is, if you’re LGBTQ+, you face different obstacles when it comes to adoption. This is why you need a San Antonio LGBTQ+ adoption attorney. You’ll face different issues in your adoption that straight parents don’t have to face.

Some of the most amazing parents are LGBTQ+. Yet, a lot of adoption agencies don’t like to approve them as prospective parents. Of course, they won’t come out and say this. However, they tend to make the process very difficult for LGBTQ+ applicants, which is where your Texas LGBTQ+ adoption lawyer can help.

Sexual orientation should never be a determining factor in adoption. However, sometimes it is. Adoption agencies and caseworkers tend to give LGBTQ+ parents a harder time. They scrutinize their background checks a little more. During the home study, they look for things to criticize. And when they do their background interviews, they ask more questions about sexual orientation.

Thankfully, no matter whether you’re LGBTQ+ or not, there are experienced adoption lawyers in San Antonio, Texas who can help. Adopting a child is probably the most important thing you’ll ever do. Don’t try to handle this yourself. You need to rely on a skilled LGBTQ+ adoption attorney at Eddington Worley to guide you through this. Call the experts at Eddington & Worley today at 855-949-0056 and learn how we can help you.

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San Antonio Adoption Attorneys Help LGBTQ+ Applicants Find Their Babies

LGBTQ+ adoptions tend to be challenging. However, agency adoptions may still be the best option for a lot of LGBTQ+ people. Thousands of babies in this world need a loving home.  You’ll want to look for an adoption agency that is willing to work with you. You need someone to help find you the perfect child.

There are certain steps you need to take for an agency adoption in Texas. Although you’ll be working with an adoption agency, you’re much better off if you have a San Antonio LGBTQ+ attorney help guide the way.

this image shows a female couple holding an adopted baby.

Eddington Worley can help you and your partner through the complicated adoption process.

Steps for an Adoption in Texas

As we said before, the adoption process can seem intimidating, especially for LGBTQ+ couples. This is especially true if you’ve never experienced it before.  Here is the private adoption process in a nutshell. You can talk to your LGBTQ+ adoption attorney in San Antonio to discuss the process in more detail and ask any questions you may have.

Select a Professional Adoption Agency

You first need to find an adoption agency in Texas that is open-minded enough to consider LGBTQ+ applicants. You can look to see what the success rates are for different agencies. Since you may need to rely on an agency to find your child, look for one that has a good reputation. You also want to find one that supports LGBTQ+ adoptions.

Complete Your Home Study

Under Texas law, anyone over 21 is eligible to fill out an application for adoption. However, all applicants have to meet the basic requirements to move forward in the process. One of these is that you will complete a home study. The home study looks at several factors, including:

  • Criminal records for anyone over 14 living in your household
  • Your financial records
  • Recent health records
  • Letters of reference from friends and family
  • Home inspection visits that take place prior to placement
  • Become eligible for adoption

The first thing you want to do to become eligible to adopt is to fill out all the paperwork.  Contact an LGBTQ+ adoption lawyer in San Antonio to help you do this. He can refer you with all the forms you need to complete. He can also help you fill them out so they’re done right. Once you qualify for adoption, your eligibility is good for 18 months.

Make Sure the Child You Plan to Adopt is Made Eligible for Adoption

Once you complete your own eligibility requirements, you have to do the same thing for your prospective child.

Once your LGBTQ+ adoption attorney in San Antonio helps you finalize your adoption application, your adoption will be complete.

In Most Cases, an LGBTQ+ Adoption Lawyer in San Antonio Can Help

Every once in a while, an adoption goes by smoothly. You don’t encounter any big issues. However, some can be very complicated. It’s not something you want to handle by yourself. Even if you use an adoption agency, you should have an experienced LGBTQ+ adoption attorney in San Antonio.

Your LGBTQ+ adoption attorney understands the adoption process. They’ve handled many cases like yours before. They’re familiar with all the requirements for a Texas adoption. Depending on your case, you’ll be going to have to provide notice of the adoption to certain people. You must serve copies of your adoption via registered mail to the following people:

  • Biological father
  • Biological mother
  • Foster parents
  • Current adoptive parents

Your LGBTQ+ adoption attorney in San Antonio can take care of this for you. They’ll locate the biological parents. Or, they’ll hire investigators to do this for you. They’ll also make sure everyone gets copies of your adoption petition.

Your San Antonio Adoption Attorney Can Help You Understand the Requirements for an Adoption

In order to adopt a child in Texas, you must meet certain criteria. The requirements for adoption in Texas include:

  • You must be at least 21 years old
  • You must be financially stable
  • Be a responsible and mature adult
  • Show proof of marriage or divorce depending on the circumstances
  • Attend mandatory training

After you’re approved to start the adoption process, you need to get a home study done. There is no exception to this rule. The court needs to know what kind of home you live in. They need to make sure they’re not placing a child in a dangerous or unhealthy environment.

They also want to see what kind of person you are. Do you have a good work history? Are you going to be able to provide for your child?

The caseworker will ask you tons of personal questions. Some of these questions may seem offensive. The caseworker will explain that all of her questions are to make sure you’re a good prospective parent. You have to answer their questions. If you don’t, they’ll say you didn’t comply with the home study.

They will ask you about your lifestyle. If they find out you’re gay, they are going to ask you pointed questions. There is a misperception that LGBTQ+ parents can expose their children to a lifestyle that isn’t in the best interests of the child. Your lawyer can help you overcome these challenges.

Technically, they aren’t allowed to deny your petition for this reason. That doesn’t mean they won’t disguise their bias as concern for the child’s best interests. Your attorney will make sure you aren’t treated unfairly in this process.

What Does a San Antonio Private Adoption Attorney Actually Do?

a san antonio mother with her adopted child

If you need help with your adoption case, contact us today!

If you don’t want to do an agency adoption, you can consider a private adoption. These cases usually involve applicants who already know someone who wants them to adopt their child. It could be a friend or family member who can’t raise their child. Or it can be someone who wants you to adopt the sibling of a child you’ve already adopted.

Texas law encourages private adoptions. However, you still need to through the steps of a regular adoption. That’s why you need to call an LGBTQ+ private adoption attorney in San Antonio.

Private adoptions have to be handled a certain way. If you don’t do it right, your petition can be denied. Or the birth parents can challenge the adoption years later. Your adoption lawyer will help with the following parts of your adoption:

  • Ensure that all documents are completed and filed with the correct courts or agencies
  • Handle any payment that is to be made to the birth mother
  • Refer you to the appropriate home study teams
  • Also, represent you at the adoption hearing in court
  • Ensure that the rights of the baby’s birth father are addressed
  • Handle any issues regarding a transfer of the child from one state to another
  • Lastly, ensure that all Texas laws are complied with fully

Contact an Adoption Attorney in San Antonio Today

If you’re finally ready to adopt a child, contact a San Antonio adoption attorney today. Your attorney can answer all your questions about the adoption process in Texas. He can discuss the benefits of a private adoption as opposed to an agency adoption Either way, your San Antonio LGBTQ+ adoption lawyer can help you navigate the adoption process.

Adopting a child is the biggest event of your life. You don’t want to mess it up. The law is strict. You have to cross every “T” and dot every “I.” Lawyers are good at this.

Contact a local San Antonio adoption attorney today to schedule your free initial consultation. He can answer any questions you may have. He can also help you find an adoption agency if that’s the route you want to take.

There’s no time like now to start your family. Why wait to start the adoption process? Call Eddington Worley for an LGBTQ+ adoption attorney in San Antonio today.