Suzanne Bryant Law
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How much do you charge?
A: Our office will charge you a flat fee which will be assessed depending on the complexity of your case and where you live. If you live in the Austin area and do not have basic documents such as a last will and testament, Suzanne will prepare these as part of your adoption process. Adoptive parents who are working and paying taxes should be able to take advantage of a tax credit that will reimburse all fees dollar for dollar. Click here for more information on the adoption tax credit. If the tax credit is not available to your family, Suzanne is will work with you on a sliding scale. We are committed to the principle that no family in Texas should go unprotected due to lack of finances.
Q: Do you handle cases such as divorce, custody, or estate planning?
A: Our office only handles adoptions and basic estate planning (wills, etc) for our adoption clients. However, we are happy to provide referrals to attorneys who may be able to assist you with other matters.
Q: We’re a heterosexual couple trying to adopt. Can you represent us?
A: In the past Suzanne handled many different kinds of cases, but her current passion is to provide the protection of second parent adoption to LGBT families throughout Texas. While our practice focuses solely on LGBT families, we support families of all kinds and are happy to provide you with referrals.
Q: I don’t live in Austin. Can I still adopt?
A: Yes! We have done adoptions for clients from Amarillo to Corpus Christi.
Q: How long does a second-parent adopt take?
A: Most adoptions will take 3-6 months to complete, but the timeline varies from case to case. Factors include the age of the child, the availability of the Court, and the speed at which clients are able to return documents.
Q: We are interested in domestic or international adoption. Can you help place us with a child?
A: While we don’t serve as a child placement agency, we will be happy to provide you with referrals to agencies who have been known to work will with LGBT families.
Q: I’ve heard that a home study has to be done before I can do a second-parent adoption. What is this about?
A: Texas law requires that a home study be completed by a licensed social worker before any adoption can be finalized. A criminal background check must also be performed. We can help match you with a social worker in your area and will provide instructions on obtaining a criminal background check. Please note that social worker and background check fees are separate from the fee charged by our office.
Q: We’ve been told that second-parent adoptions aren’t legal in Texas. Is this true?
A: No! Texas law does not prohibit second-parent adoptions and it is left up to individual judges whether or not they will grant them. Our office has helped finalize hundreds of second-parent adoptions since 1995.
Q: I’ve heard something about a tax credit for people who adopt. Can this apply to a second-parent adoption?
A: Yes. Click here for details on the adoption tax credit.
Q: We already consider ourselves the parents of our child. Why do we need to do a second-parent adoption?
A: A second parent adoption gives both parents the same legal rights and responsibilities. Additionally, the child benefits in the following ways: 1) if the first parent dies, the child is not an orphan 2) if the adoptive parent dies, the child is eligible for benefits such as Social Security and military survivor benefits 3) if the parents break up, the child’s relationship to each parent is not dependent on the status of the relationship between the parents.
Q: Can the adoption process be started before the birth of our child?
A: Yes! Many families like to get as much taken care of as possible before the baby arrives. If you are expecting a child and planning to do a second parent adoption, this is an excellent time to begin the process!
Q: is it true that I have to wait until the baby is 6 months old before doing a second-parent adoption?
A: The law requires the child to be in the home 6 months before s/he is adopted. However, this time limit may be waived in certain circumstances.
Q: Can we both be on the birth certificate?
A: Texas law does not currently allow two persons of the same gender to appear on a Texas birth certificate, but you will receive a certified copy of your adoption order. Additionally, your child’s file at the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics will include a certificate of adoption for the second parent.
Q: What happens if we do an adoption in Texas but then move to another state?
A: All 50 states currently give “full faith and credit” to adoption orders from other states. Because LGBT rights are constantly evolving, we do our best to inform clients of any changes that may impact their families. Be sure to check our website for updates.
