There are so many kids in the foster kid system, there aren’t enough parents to take them in. Texas has a big problem with this. There is a huge backlog of kids who are in need of a safe and loving home. Yet, there are hundreds of LGBT couples desperately looking to love a child.
Same-sex couples are able to foster children in Texas. It’s a matter of filling out the application and sorting through the red tape. That’s why it’s a good idea to have an experienced LGBT adoption lawyer in Houston there to help.
Whether you’re looking to foster a child or actually complete a foster care adoption, you want to become familiar with the process first. It takes time to become a foster parent. Not everyone is approved. The State needs to make sure you’re a good fit before they approve your application.
You also need to wait for a child to become available. You may have certain preferences as to age, sex, or race. Although, if you truly want to adopt a child, you shouldn’t be too picky.
You Have Two Options When it Comes to a Foster Child Adoption
Due to the difficulties and expenses that come with a private or international adoption, foster care adoptions are becoming very popular in Texas. In fact, it is the number one choice for adopting a child these days.
You have two options when it comes to a foster care adoption. You can either foster to adopt or adopt a waiting child. It depends on your situation and timing.
Foster to Adopt:
- Some children are removed from their home because it just isn’t a safe and secure environment. This could be due to parents with addiction issues. Or, their biological parents simply don’t want to take care of their child. These children are then placed with foster families who are willing to support and care for the child. Ideally, you’ll only take care of the child until their biological family is ready to care for them. This means the State will give the biological parents ample opportunities to get their child back. This means that, even though your goal is to adopt the child, you may not get this opportunity. For LGBT couples, it can be heartbreaking to find out that the child you’ve fallen in child you’ve fallen in love with is going back with their biological parents.
Adopt a Waiting Child:
- If you don’t want to deal with the chance of the child you foster being returned to their biological parents, this may be a good option. You and your LGBT partner can choose to adopt a child who is already available to be adopted. Usually, you’ll foster the child for a certain period of time before you begin the adoption process. The State just wants to make sure that your home is a good fit for the child. Once you meet all the requirements, you can complete the adoption.
Regardless of which option you choose, you should have an experienced Houston LGBT adoption lawyer by your side. This way, you make sure your adoption is handled both properly and legally.
What if Adoption Isn’t Your Goal?
You and your spouse may not be ready to adopt a child. Adopting foster children does carry certain risks. Some of these risks include:
- The child may have developmental or social issues due to the environment they grew up in
- There may be a chance the court will eventually return the child to their biological parents
- You may not be able to find a foster child that fits your dream of adopting a young child or baby
If this is the case, you always have the option of simply becoming a foster parent. This way, you can still provide a child with the loving home they need, but it’s only temporary. You may decide along the way that you are indeed ready for adoption.
Contact a LGBT Adoption Lawyer in Houston, Texas
If you and your partner want to become foster parents, you should meet with an experienced LGBT adoption lawyer at Eddington & Worley. You can discuss the process with your lawyer. They can help you decide if you want to adopt a foster child or if you simply want to become a foster parent.
There are plenty of children out there who need a loving home. The foster care system in Texas is overloaded with these children. LGBT couples make great parents, especially when they’ve been wishing to start a family for so long.