In order to finalize the adoption of a child in Texas, the adoptive parent (or parents) need to terminate the rights of the child’s living biological parents (or other persons named legally responsible for a child, like a managing conservator or guardian). The only exceptions include adult adoptions and stepparent adoptions, where the stepparent’s spouse...Read More
When considering adoption, a top concern for many prospective parents is: How much is adoption going to cost? The average cost of adoption varies considerably based on the type of adoption you choose to pursue. Adopting a child you have fostered through the child welfare system is generally the least inexpensive, while international adoptions and...Read More
As a family law and reproductive lawyer, I enjoy being a resource for people who hope to become parents through surrogacy or want to help others become parents as a surrogate or through egg, sperm or embryo donation. If you’re like many of our clients at the Sisemore Law Firm, you may be unfamiliar with...Read More
Using a surrogate mother to have a baby has become increasingly more common over the past couple of decades since I began practicing family law. Serving as a reproductive lawyer for intended parents, surrogates and donors of eggs, embryos and sperm has been a very rewarding part of my career. Understanding the rights of surrogate...Read More
Having a baby is a life-changing experience but getting pregnant the natural way isn’t a viable option for every couple. Some couples struggle with infertility issues, and while the emotional turmoil of pregnancy can be so overwhelming for some women, it could put the health of the mother and baby at risk. Fortunately, surrogacy and...Read More
Surrogacy can be a beautiful way to have a baby when circumstances prevent a couple or individual from conceiving a child on their own. However, laws regarding surrogacy do vary widely from state to state, so it’s important to understand the surrogacy laws in the state where you hope to have a child. If that...Read More
Our Texas law firm receives a variety of questions about biological parents rights after adoption. Adoptive parents may wonder, “What happens when birth parents want their child back?” A birth mother who relinquished her parental rights may ask, “Can birth mother reclaim adopted child?” Our child custody lawyers also get questions from same-sex couples about...Read More
When I started practicing family law in 2006, LGBT couples faced more challenges with same sex couple adoption than they do today. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision recognizing same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges), society in general has become more supportive of gay adoption. I also find that many birth mothers choose same-sex couples...Read More
According to recent census figures in the United States, there are more than 2 million adopted children in households in the country. With an increase in awareness about adoption, more and more mothers are considering it as a viable option when they feel they may be able to unable to care for their child either physically, emotionally,...Read More
