Although most people never plan to raise young children in their older years, many grandparents find themselves stepping in to care for their grandchildren. This unexpected lifestyle change can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding if you find yourself in this situation.
The process of legally adopting a grandchild in Texas requires tremendous effort, so it’s a decision that should not be made lightly. Adoption is much more than custody, as it involves assuming the important legal role of primary caregiver for the child.
Before grandparents move forward on adopting their grandchildren, they should be well aware of the challenges – as well as the many benefits of adopting a grandchild. Learn why it’s worth pursuing legal action if you are ready to create a formal parental relationship with a grandchild.
Why Should You Pursue Granchild Adoption?
Find out why pursuing legal adoption in Texas is worth your time and labor.
1. Resource Stability
Resource stability is the access a child has to the resources they need to live. These basic resources include:
- Food and water
- Clothing
- Medicine or medical care
When a child does not have enough of the resources they need, other areas of their life are impacted, from schooling to relationships with others. Grandparents who can provide more stability compared to the child’s parents may be able to take over the duty of providing resources through adoption.
2. Consistent Lodging
Grandparent adoption also leads to stability in lodging for the child. Sadly, many children find themselves being shuffled about by parents with housing troubles or through the foster care system in Texas.
Constantly moving around and facing a lack of locational stability can negatively impact a child’s learning capabilities, attention span, and ability to socialize with peers. When adopted by grandparents, children can settle into their lives without the threat of being uprooted once again.
3. Emotional Stability
In addition to resources and shelter, children also need stable emotional connections to grow to become mature young adults.
Sometimes, emotional stability is the primary challenge that your grandchildren are facing. They could find themselves in volatile situations where one or both parents cannot consistently perform their parental duties, hindering emotional growth. Grandparents who adopt kids give these children the emotional foundation they need to flourish.
4. Educational Stability
One of the greatest benefits of adopting a grandchild is the educational stability provided to a child. Children love to learn about the world around them, and they need to learn many things to understand their place in the world. However, some children’s educational journeys are marred by instability stemming from constant moving, uncaring or absent parents, and other unfortunate circumstances.
Grandparent adoption allows your grandchildren to learn in a stable environment in a stable home. The fear of being uprooted disappears, and the child can reach their potential at school.
5. Future Certainty
Children in unfortunate circumstances often do not have the luxury of a stable future. Instead, they fight to get by in the present. For many kids, planning for the future may seem senseless when they can barely get by in the current moment.
Grandparent adoption, however, gives the grandchild stability in the present so they can begin thinking about their future. When a child does not have to worry about where their next meal will come from or where they will be living next month, they can make plans for the future – with confidence.
Realize the Benefits of Adopting a Grandchild With the Support of a Texas Family Law Attorney
If you are ready to tap into the benefits of adopting your grandchildren, we are ready to advocate on your behalf. Parker & Aguilar is here to help you pursue legal action in Texas to establish a formal parental relationship with your grandkids.
Our experienced family law attorneys currently support grandparents in Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Galveston County, and Matagorda County. If you live in one of these counties, schedule a consultation with one of our adoption attornies today.
You can reach us at 979-267-7660 (Angleton office) or 281-944-5485 (Sugar Land office) to speak with a helpful attorney. Let’s discuss the benefits of adopting a grandchild and your legal options moving forward.