Adoption Law

• Private Adoption
• Recognition of Foreign Decree of Adoption
• Relative/Step-Parent Adoption
• Adoption Advice
• Finalization of Agency Adoption
• Interstate Adoption

The Law Office of Lauren Gaydos Duffer, P.C. also represents birth parents at the time of their signing of the relinquishment documents.

Private Adoption

A private adoption means that a birth family and prospective adoptive family have come together by means of someone other than an adoption agency. In a private adoption, the prospective adoptive family cannot provide living expenses or pay or promise anything of monetary value other than reasonable counseling/social worker fees, legal fees, and medical expenses to the birth family. If the birth family is in need of financial assistance for things like living expenses, you must involve a licensed adoption agency. The Law Office of Lauren Gaydos Duffer, P.C. may be able to help you find an agency to work with should you need one.

Recognition of Foreign Decree of Adoption

Depending on your child's immigration status when you brought your child to the United States, Texas law provides for you to have your foreign decree of adoption recognized under the laws of the State of Texas. If your child's foreign decree of adoption is eligible to be recognized under the laws of the State of Texas without having to do a re-adoption, you can obtain a new birth certificate for your child naming you as the legal parent(s) of the child and changing the child's name by petitioning the court to issue an order recognizing your foreign decree of adoption.

Adoption Advice

If you are just beginning to look into the adoption process and you don't know what agency to work with or you don't understand the contracts you are being asked to sign by the agency, The Law Office of Lauren Gaydos Duffer, P.C. may be able to help you. It is very important that you exercise your own due diligence when selecting an agency to work with. Unfortunately, there are agencies out there that take advantage of prospective adoptive parents and most agencies’ contracts state that once you sign the contract and pay the initial fees to the agency your money is non-refundable. Therefore, it is extremely important that you fully understand what you are signing. The Law Office of Lauren Gaydos Duffer, P.C. may guide you through the adoption process, from helping you find an agency to finalizing your adoption (depending on the particular circumstances of your adoptive situation).

Finalization of Adoption

Often, adoptive families will work with an out of state agency, child protective services, or an agency that is located outside of North Texas. The day that you finalize your adoption is very special. Some adoptive families want their close friends and family to attend the court hearing. Depending on the circumstances of your adoption, The Law Office of Lauren Gaydos Duffer, P.C. may be able to finalize your adoption in North Texas so that your close friends and family can attend the court hearing.

Interstate Adoption

In the event that the prospective adoptive family or the birth family lives in a state other than Texas, you must comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children ("ICPC"). ICPC requires that the state where the baby is born and the state where the prospective adoptive family lives to both approve the baby crossing state lines. In an interstate adoption, the baby must remain in the state where he or she was born until both states approve the baby crossing state lines. Often, prospective adoptive parents will be required to stay in the state where the baby is born for 7-10 business days. 

Disclaimer:
Please be aware that Texas law does not allow an attorney to locate a child for you.