ADOPTION

Helping Families Grow Through Adoption

If you are considering adoption to build or expand your family, you undoubtedly have some questions and concerns. Adoption is a complex legal process that can take several months to complete. The Ashtari Law Firm can help.

It is very important to understand your options and make an informed decision that accounts for your family’s unique circumstances, the needs of the child to be adopted, the expenses of each option and the legal qualification criteria. The Ashtari Law Firm offers pre-adoption consultation to families to help them determine the best path for their specific needs.

Thinking about adopting? Call 713-853-9651 to arrange a free consultation.

Private Adoption

Private adoption without agency involvement typically refers to a situation in which a birth mother has found prospective adoptive parents willing to adopt the child. The Ashtari Law Firm assists clients in private adoptions by drafting and filing all the necessary documents to terminate the birth parents’ rights and obtain an adoption decree.

Agency Adoption

For prospective adoptive parents who choose to proceed through an adoption agency, the journey begins with an agency match with a child. The agency acts as an intermediary guiding adoptive parents through the process. The attorney’s role is to assist with the paperwork and prepare you for interviews to make the process as smooth as possible.



Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent adoption refers to an adoption proceeding in which the spouse of a parent petitions the court to obtain legal parental rights of the spouse’s children through the adoption order. This process is similar to a regular adoption. Under the Texas Family Code Section 162.001(b)(1), stepparent adoption is a two-step process that involves the termination of the rights of the natural parent and then the adoption by the remaining parent’s spouse. The Ashtari Law Firm handles all issues related to stepparent adoptions, including preparing and filing all documents and representing clients in termination and adoption proceedings in court.



Second-Parent Adoption

Alina Ashtari represents LGBTQ+ families who are growing their families through adoption, surrogacy or assisted reproduction technology. When one parent is not biologically related to the child, both parents can jointly petition the court for the unrelated parent to adopt the child. In Texas, because the family code has not yet evolved to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ families, this type of adoption is also considered “step-parent adoption.” Whether the child was conceived with a known donor, unknown donor, or through a fertility clinic, Ms. Ashtari can walk you through the process to give you peace of mind that your parental rights are established.



Interstate Adoption

If the adoptive parents and the child reside in different states, the adoption must comply with the interstate compact laws, and both states must approve the placement before the child can be moved to the adoptive parents’ state. The Ashtari Law Firm advises Texas adoptive parents and works with out-of-state attorneys to ensure compliance with the laws of both states.



International Adoption

International adoption involves many critical and complex legal issues. There are numerous rules and regulations, both locally and internationally, that must be followed for the adoption to be valid. In addition to satisfying the adoption requirements in Texas, the adoption must also comply with the Hague Convention for international adoptions. Yet another important step is obtaining an immigrant visa for the foreign adopted child. Alina Ashtari counsels and represents adoptive parents through the complex legal process of international adoptions to make sure that the adoptive child is brought home without complication.



Let’s Talk About Adoption Today

If you are interested in adopting and would like to talk to a lawyer about your options, schedule a free consultation at 713-853-9651 or use the online form. Located in Houston, the Ashtari Law Firm serves Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria and surrounding counties.