Legal Overview of Adoption

Texas Family Code

Title 5. The Parent-Child Relationship & the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship

Chapter 162. Adoption

The purpose of the adoption is to create the parent-child relationship between the adopted child and adoptive parents. Tex. Fam. Code § 162.017(a). The adoptive parents are assuming the permanent roles of parental care, custody, and control of the child. Through the adoption, the new parents are making a commitment to the court and the child that they will provide for all aspects of the child’s well-being, so the adoption hearing concludes the decision-making and monitoring roles of the court.

A. Petition for Adoption

B. Documentation Required

C. Hearing

Special Issue: Judges interested in additional resources regarding adoption, please see the Texas Bench Book, Chapter 4: Family Proceedings, XVII. Parent & Child Adoption, A. Adoption on the Texas Center for the Judiciary website at: http://www.yourhonor.com/web/Online/Resources/Bench_Books/Online/Resources/Bench_Books.aspx?hkey=933e2911-0259-4dda-962e-430801af23f2.