Choosing to place your child for adoption is an emotional decision, especially if you make your adoption plan alone. It is possible to complete the adoption without the birth father’s full support. Still, you must follow the laws in your state to ensure your baby’s adoption is completely legal.
Explain Why You Are Choosing Adoption
There are many reasons to place a child for adoption. Perhaps you aren’t ready for parenthood, can’t support a child financially, or aren’t ready for the responsibility.
Assure him you want what’s best for your child and know adoption provides them with the life you both want them to have.
He Can Be Involved In The Adoption Process
People are often afraid of what they do not understand. Myths and misunderstandings surround the adoption process, so when you discuss your adoption plan with the birth father, be prepared to give him as much information as possible.
Tell him you can choose the best adoption plan for your baby together. Open adoption is the most popular, but you can also choose a semi-open adoption—whatever you are most comfortable with.
Together, you can review photo books of potential adoptive couples and select the adoptive parents who will raise your child. If you choose an open or semi-open adoption, the birth father can also build a relationship with his child and their adoptive parents.
Termination of Parental Rights
Sadly, if you and the birth father disagree, you can still move forward with your adoption plan. Your adoption agency takes over contacting him to terminate his parental rights legally.
Terminating parental rights is the legal process where the court ends the biological parent’s rights and responsibilities. Parenting rights and responsibilities are given to the adoptive parents when finalizing the adoption.
The laws for terminating a birth father’s parental rights vary from state to state. In Texas, only a judge can terminate parental rights by court order. Suppose a man believes he isn’t the father or doesn’t want the responsibility of being the father. In that case, he can sign a “voluntary” waiver agreeing that the court should terminate his parental rights.
If the man expresses interest in parenting the child, he needs to do the following:
- Establish paternity.
- File for custody.
- Provide child support during your pregnancy and prove to the court that he can continue supporting the child once born.
When a man fails to file a “Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity,” the court can terminate his rights at the same hearing as the adoption.
How Adoption Angels Can Assist You
The adoption coordinators at Adoption Angels are fully versed in Texas adoption law. As a licensed child-placing agency, we can file to terminate parental rights.
Suppose you and the biological father are no longer in a relationship, or you are unsure where he is or possibly who he is. In that case, we make every effort to contact the birth father you name to discuss termination.
All legal services are free through our agency, and we take all necessary steps to ensure your adoption plan is in place legally. Contact us if you are interested in knowing more about the adoption process.
There is a potential adoptive couple ready to adopt your baby. Call or text us 24/7 at (210) 227-2229 or fill out our confidential online contact form. We can help you move forward.
Share









