Dallas Family Law | Dallas Divorce Law | Dallas Custody Laws | Dallas Visitation Laws | Dallas Adoption Laws
Family law is broad term that encompasses a variety of legal areas and underlying issues that affect families or members of a family. These areas of legal practice include:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Child Custody And Visitation
- Te rmination of Parental Rights
- Mediation And Arbitration
- Domestic Violence
- Child Support
- Modification of Child Custody And Visitation
- Adoption
- Grandparen ts' Rights
- Spousal Support And Alimony
- Paternity
- Pr e-Nuptial & Post- Nuptial Agreements
- Family Estate Planning
Divorce and family matters such as these are always complicated, both from a legal standpoint and personally, on an emotional level. There are many issues that come into play that most people may not think of when they first consider getting a divorce. To help make sure that you have considered every option, you should hire one of the experienced Dallas Family Lawyers listed on this page.
"Family Law" covers divorce, but a family lawyer may also be called upon in assisting a minor petitioning to become an adult (emancipation); preparing medica l consent forms for traveling minors; counseling consent for minors forms; child immunization forms for school or travel abroad; representing the minor or parent of a minor in a contested abo rtion matter; or filing authorizations for grandparents to possess a child.
Obviously, divorce is not what a couple desires when they are first married. In that sense, though a divorce may absolutely be the correct action under a given set of circumstances, it is still sad when it happens. On the other hand, one of the most personally rewarding legal services performed by a Dallas family law attorney, is to assist in the filing of a petition for adoption. Usually the husband and wife have attempted a number of methods in order to have their own child with no success. They have so much love to give and only want a child to give it to. Divorce is so prevalent in our society. When Dallas family attorneys are retained and given the chance to make a family happier, they are glad to do it!
Contact a Dallas Adoption Attorney today!
Private Adoption is an adoption plan made between a pregnant mother and a family who then come to an attorney to complete the legal adoption. The adopting parent may only pay legal and medical expenses. |
Agency adoption is an adoption plan made with a licensed agency, adopting parents, and a birth parent. These adoptions allow the adopting parent(s) to pay for the living expenses of a birth parent. Adoptive parents and birth parents decide on the level of openness they plan to share. |
Step parent adoption is a simpler process where the non-custodial parent gives permission for the step parent to adopt. |
Foster parent adoption of a CPS child(ren) is completed with the consent of the child’s CPS worker. |
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Re-adoption is a process where children adopted internationally can obtain new U.S. birth certificates under a Texas adoption decree. |
Important Inquiries When Considering a Dallas Adoption Attorney
Finances
- What is the average cost of a Dallas adoption?
- How does the Dallas lawyer bill for his or her services? Is the fee is hourly or a flat fee?
- Will a retainer be required in advance, and, if so, how much?
- What happens to the retainer if the birth mother changes her mind about the adoption?
Qualifications
- What is the experience of the Dallas adoption attorney?
- How long has he or she worked in Dallas county performing adoptions?
- How many non-relative Dallas County adoptions has the attorney they completed?
- What percentage of the attorney's total practice is devoted to adoption?
Services
- What services are actually provided?
- Does the Dallas County, Texas adoption attorney actively assist in finding a person wanting to place a child for adoption as well as handling the necessary legal work? Attorneys in some states cannot match you to a birth mother (a practice that is allowed in many states). Make sure that you and the birth parents are represented by different attorneys.
Miscellaneous
- What is the lawyer's general philosophy about adoption?
- Why does he or she perform adoption legal services?
- Does the attorney handle open adoptions, confidential adoptions, or both?
- Do you have strong feelings about openness?
- Will the lawyer's office keep you up-to-date and involved?
Things to Think About
- Does the lawyer answer your questions to your satisfaction?
- Does the lawyer return your phone calls promptly?
- Is the lawyer sensitive to your feelings?
- Is the lawyer well informed about adoption law?
- Is the lawyer well organized?
- Does the lawyer pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable with the decision-making process?
- Does the lawyer openly discuss the financial and emotional risks involved?
Low or No Cost Health Care Resources
Many time,s the same families who need the help of a family lawyer also need assistance with health care for themselves and their families. Here is a list of low or no cost health care centers ready to serve them.
Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, INC 809 Singleton Boulevard Dallas, TX 75212 (214) 571-6132 www.losbarriosunidos.org |
Los Barrios Unidos Comm. Clinic. 3111 Sylvan Avenue Dallas, TX 75212 (214) 540-0304 www.losbarriosunidos.org |
Day Resource Center 901 S. Ervay Street Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 590-0153 |
Martin Luther King, JR. Family Clinic, INC. |
Grand Prairie Community Health Center |
Children’s Oral Health Center |
Central Dallas Ministries Community Health Clinic |
Center of Hope Women and Children’s Health Care Clinic |
Brother Bill's Helping Hand |
The Bridge |
Free Life Clinic (ministry of Cornerstone Baptist Church) |
Grand Prairie Community Health Center |
Choose a family lawyer or divorce attorney from the list on this page and take the first step to a new life!
Serving clients throughout Central Texas, including Addison, Allen, Arlington, Audelia, Balch Springs, Bedford, Cedar Hill, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Coppell, Dallas, Dalrock, De Soto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Ft. Worth, Forney, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, Hutchins, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mansfield, Mesquite, Midlothian, Murphy, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, Trinity Mills, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, areas in the vicinity of Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport, and other communities in Collin County, Dallas County, Denton County, Kaufman County, and Rockwall County.