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Adoption and Biological Fathers’ Rights in Texas

As everyone knows, it takes two people to make a baby. While the focus is largely on the birth mother who has decided to give up her baby for adoption, the biological father has rights as well. In most cases, both the biological father and mother are on the same page when it comes to adoption in the state of Texas, but not always.

AIM Adoptions is an adoption agency in Houston. We help birth mothers who want to give up their babies for adoption find loving, Christian homes. Our mission is to partner with birth mothers who make this ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their babies. We allow the birth mother to be as involved as she wants to be, from determining if she wants an open or a closed adoption to establishing her birth plan. Below, we’ll take a look at a birth father’s rights here in the state of Texas. Contact us today to get started!

BIOLOGICAL FATHER’S RIGHTS IN TEXAS

In the state of Texas, a biological father has just as many rights to the baby as the birth mother does. In the case of adoption, consent must be received from both parents in order to proceed. Thus, a birth mother cannot put her baby up for adoption without informing the birth father first. However, a father must be a legal father in the state of Texas’ eyes first before he can claim rights to the baby. A father who is not married to the mother is not a legal father. Nor are you a legal father just because your name was placed on the birth certificate. In Texas, you have to be declared a legal father.

To be declared a legal father, you have to unequivocally establish that you are in fact the father. This is done via a paternity test, or if the biological mother agrees you are the biological father, then you can fill out an Acknowledgement of Paternity, which will then allow your name to be placed on the birth certificate. Once this occurs, the biological father has the same rights as does the biological mother.

As mentioned previously, the biological mother cannot put the baby up for adoption without the biological father’s consent. If the biological father wants custody of the child, he will need to hire a family lawyer and go to court to demonstrate his commitment to raise the baby.

In general, AIM Adoptions in Houston has found that most biological fathers agree to put their baby up for adoption if the mother so desires. However, if the father is contesting the adoption, the process will indefinitely be delayed until an outcome is determined.

There are exceptions to having the father consent to an adoption. If the biological father has abandoned the baby, neglected the baby, failed to pay court-ordered child support, or is unfit, then his consent for adoption is not always required.

Texas has a six-month statute of limitations to challenge an adoption. This allows for the adoptive parents then to have full peace of mind that their adopted baby will be a part of their family forever. It also gives some leeway for fathers who find out after the fact that they fathered a child. For instance, if the father cannot be located to be told, a baby can often be given up for adoption if the court agrees. However, fathers must be responsible as well, so if a father suspects he has fathered a child, it is his responsibility to find out.

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HOW AIM ADOPTIONS HELPS YOU THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS OF ADOPTION

The legalities regarding biological father’s rights can become complicated and even convoluted. AIM Adoptions in Houston often handles many of these legalities if the birth mother so wishes. We are a non-profit, Christian-based adoption agency that understands and follows the law. The baby is our top concern, and if the courts determine that the baby should go with the father, then we do not dispute this. As believers, we believe each baby we place was given to us for that reason; we also believe that in some cases, there is also a reason why you didn’t get a particular baby. We counsel waiting families that they will get the baby God has for them, and God’s timing is not ours!

AIM Adoptions works hard to ensure the birth mother is taken care of, the legalities of the adoption law in the state of Texas are followed, and that the best interests of the baby are paramount. We’ve been placing babies with waiting families for over 30 years, and we have no plans to stop anytime soon. Our caring and compassionate staff comes alongside birth mothers to support their needs during this emotional time. We offer medical care, financial assistance, help with housing, and transportation help. In addition, we answer our phones 24 hours a day, so if you need us, we’re there. We want this process to be as easy as possible on all parties involved.

With regards to those interested in becoming adoptive parents, we have a wealth of information on our website. We do require that to adopt through us you must be a traditional married couple, Christians, and that have a financially stable home for the baby. Our application process can be quite involved, which is why we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have. AIM Adoptions in Houston is your Houston adoption agency of choice!