If you want to adopt your wife's son do you need to hire an attorney if you live in Texas?

Answer 1

This would be a step-parent adoption, a fairly routine process, listed in the Texas civil code as:

"§ 162.001. WHO MAY ADOPT AND BE ADOPTED. (a) Subject

to the requirements for standing to sue in Chapter 102, an adult may

petition to adopt a child who may be adopted.

(b) A child residing in this state may be adopted if:

(2) the parent whose rights have not been terminated

is presently the spouse of the petitioner and the proceeding is for

a stepparent adoption;"

Many law firms handle this, and if the natural father contests the adoption, you will want legal help. Otherwise, you may be able to file the petition yourself at your local court house to get the process started. Contact a court to see if they have a "do it yourself" package of forms to use, many states do.

Answer 2

Minimum age is 18 for you. Your parents have to give up their parental rights and you will have to pass the home study so they know you can support them. Normally there would not be a need for a sibling to adopt but if the siblings need to move out of the home giving custody to the older sibling is usually enough. If the parents are not suitable to have kids the court can remove their parental rights. Then you would have to tell the social worker that you want them and they will do a home study. You can then get custody and your parents will have to pay child support. So if this is a case about neglect contact the social worker handling the case.

Answer 3

t i would think yes, there are many attorneys that deal with this , it could as simple as a meeting and then a date at the county courthouse. Make some calls.