Open Adoption in Texas

Carrie called Lifetime after finding out she was pregnant. She was a single mom and did not feel she could properly care for another child at this time. Carrie was barely getting by and now had additional expenses due to her pregnancy. Lifetime’s adoption coordinator let her know that during the adoption process in Texas, pregnancy-related expenses can be covered by the adopting parents. The expenses include:

• Fees paid to an attorney, social worker, mental health professional, or physician for services rendered in the usual course of legal or medical practice or in providing adoption counseling
• Reimbursement of legal or medical expenses incurred by a person for the benefit of the child
• Necessary pregnancy-related expenses paid by a child-placing agency for the benefit of the child’s parent during the pregnancy or after the birth of the child as permitted by the minimum standards for child-placing agencies and Department of Protective and Regulatory Services rules

Referrals to professional and peer counseling are available through Lifetime Adoption at no cost to you. A professional counselor is available to help you with the emotions and decision-making processes you will go through during your adoption journey. Peer counselors, who are birth mothers and who have been through the adoption process, are also available. These women are happy to share their stories and help you through the adoption process.

The landscape is uncertain when it comes to abortion in Texas, and expectant women need to choose from different pregnancy options. Right now there are three options for pregnant women: if available – abortion, adoption, or parenting. As technology advances, women can see the development of their baby at 12 weeks and even before. When they see that at 12 weeks, the baby has a beating heart, fingernails, and even brain waves, they often choose to consider other options than abortion, even if it is a chemical abortion. 

Many states are now restricting abortion, which means some women need to consider abortion alternatives, such as modern adoption. Modern adoption allows the woman to choose the family who will adopt her child, decide what type of contact to have in the future, and how things will go at the hospital. A pregnant woman may be able to receive some help for pregnancy-related expenses such as food, rent, travel expenses, and more if she is choosing adoption. She can also still get updates, photos, and even visits if she wants. Adoption can be a positive choice for a woman with an unexpected, unwanted, or unplanned pregnancy. Not many people know a lot about modern adoption, so you will find many who may only see it as an alternative to abortion, but the truth is that women from all different walks of life are choosing adoption right now in Texas for their baby.

In Texas, Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACAs) can offer a meaningful way for birth families and adoptive families to stay connected when everyone agrees it’s in the best interest of the child. These agreements can include updates, letters, emails, photos, or occasional visits—whatever both parties feel comfortable with. While adoption creates a permanent legal relationship with the adoptive family, PACAs allow a compassionate, voluntary path for continued contact that can benefit a child’s sense of identity and emotional well-being.

Texas law does not currently provide a specific statute for legally enforceable Post-Adoption Contact Agreements in private domestic adoptions. However, families can still enter into informal, good-faith agreements that reflect everyone’s hopes for future communication. At Lifetime Adoption, we’ve seen many adoptive families honor these commitments wholeheartedly—because they recognize the importance of openness, trust, and the child’s lifelong connection to their birth family.

At Lifetime Adoption, we’re strong advocates for the value of open adoption. We also make every effort to ensure that expectant mothers or anyone considering placing a child for adoption has the opportunity to share their expectations for future contact, as outlined in our Post-Adoption Contact Agreement. Our adoptive families are carefully chosen and fully prepared for the ongoing relationships that may be part of a child’s adoption journey.

These agreements, while not court-enforced, are built on respect and mutual understanding. Birth parents can feel confident that Lifetime families are committed to honoring the spirit of their agreements and staying connected in a way that puts the child’s best interests first.

Adoption laws in Texas can seem complicated but don’t worry. You will have a Lifetime Adoption coordinator and an adoption attorney to guide you through the legal aspects of the Texas adoption process.

Typically, during the adoption process in Texas, the timeline for legal documentation and the timeline for adoption are as follows.

In general, the birth mother signs papers surrendering 48 hours after delivery of the baby. A birth father may surrender his parental rights by signing an Affidavit of Relinquishment of Parental Rights at any time, before or after the child’s birth. The adoptive parents can finalize their adoption after completing their after placement social worker visits and attending the finalization hearing at the courthouse.

Every adoption is unique, and so rules can vary. There are exceptions and different legal requirements depending on the individual facts of each adoption. Your adoption attorney is there to make sure your adoption goes smoothly, and all legal aspects are done correctly.

The legal document that confirms your ability to parent and adopt a child is called a home study. A home study is required to proceed with an adoption throughout the US. Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will refer a home study provider in Texas for you.

A home study includes the following:

• Background checks
• Financial verification
• Medical reports
• Employment verification
• References
• Visit of the home

Part of your home study will be a home visit. This will involve interviewing every member of the household. You will provide background information and information regarding your family and marital relationships, what your parenting style is, why you want to adopt, your education, and more for your home study social worker.

Your Texas home study social worker will come back within one week for the first post-placement visit once your child is placed with you. These visits will continue monthly until your adoption finalization.