Dallas, Texas, Adoption Lawyers

Families are formed in many different ways, including through adoption or assisted reproduction. Choosing the right attorney to guide you through the legal process is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family. The family law attorneys at Palmer & Manuel have exceptional experience guiding clients through the legal complexities of domestic adoption, international adoption, stepparent or relative adoption, and assisted reproduction.

Domestic Adoption: Domestic infant adoptions generally consist of two steps - termination of the biological parents' rights and the final adoption. We have experience helping adoptive parents involved in interstate adoptions, private adoptions, and agency adoptions. We help you understand your rights and prepare you for each step of the process, such as the home study or post placement supervision. Additionally, we are proud to offer counsel to birth parents who are considering the courageous decision to place their child for adoption.

International Adoption: When an adoption physically occurs in a foreign country, our adoption lawyers help adoptive parents through the legal issues that may arise. We can help you get the adoption recognized for citizenship purposes, obtain a Texas birth certificate, correct name errors in foreign adoption papers, and facilitate re-adoptions when necessary to ensure the adoption is recognized in the United States under Texas law.

Stepparent, Grandparent, or Relative Adoption: Many times a stepparent or another relative takes on the role of a mom or dad and is more suitable to raise the child or children than the biological parent. Through the adoption process, a family member can become the child's legal parent. Our attorneys at Palmer & Manuel are skilled in maneuvering through the intricacies of this legal adoption process.

Gestational Surrogacy Agreements and Assisted Reproduction: Assisted reproduction is another option for creating or expanding your family. Whether through egg donation, in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, traditional surrogacy, or gestational surrogacy, the assisted reproduction process involves a complex legal component. Our attorneys help you avoid future problems that may arise, such as paternity actions or child custody disputes with a donor. We guide you through the process and ensure gestational agreements will protect your family-now and in the future. Gestattional surrogacy or assisted reproduction should not be done without the advice of an experienced attorney, as there may be serious legal complications if such matters are not handled properly.

For more information on adoption, please read our articles on Texas Adoption Basics or International Adoption Basics.

Building a family through adoption or assisted reproduction can be a gratifying experience. However, it is important to ensure that you and your family are protected throughout the process. This is your family we are talking about and nothing should disrupt your happiness in the future. Trust in the experience and commitment of our adoption attorneys at Palmer & Manuel.

Call 214-242-6444 or email us to schedule an initial consultation.