Can an LGBT Couple Foster a Child in Texas?

Sometimes, if you and your partner are considering adopting a child, it’s a good idea to first foster a child in Texas. Once you adopt a child, there’s no going back. You can’t go back to the judge a year or two later and say you’ve changed your mind. At least with a foster child, the placement may be temporary. Also, if you realize that the child isn’t a good fit for the child, you can let the County or agency know. They can always place the child in a more suitable home.

It can also be a lot easier to be approved as a foster parent than an adoption. The county has more children than they have homes for. They’re always looking for people who are willing to take in a child and help raise it. There’s a shortage of qualified foster parents out there. And some of the people who do foster children aren’t suitable parents. But, it’s hard to constantly remove children from their care when there’s nowhere else for them to go.

If you decide that you want to foster a child, you should call and speak with an LGBT adoption attorney in Texas first. They can go over the risks and benefits of a foster child with you. This way, you are fully informed before you make any decisions you can’t take back.

Your LGBT Adoption Lawyer Knows the Basic Requirements to Foster a Child in Texas

Believe it or not, the basic requirements to foster a child in Texas are similar to what they are to adopt a child. It really comes down to whether you’re fit to be a parent. Are you fiscally and generally responsible? Are you mature enough to raise a child? And, more importantly, will you provide the child with a safe and healthy home?

Even though the County can always move a child out of a foster home, that doesn’t mean they want to. The state is miles behind where they should be when it comes to placing foster children. They’re also really short on resources. Once they place a child in a foster home, their hope is that the child will stay there. Ultimately, the goal is sometimes to find a foster parent to adopt the child.

The general requirements to foster a child in Texas include:

• You have to be at least 21-years old
• You must have a regular source of income
• You can’t have any felonies on your criminal background check
• You can’t have any misdemeanors for anything involving child abuse, elder abuse or sexual abuse
• You must have home with enough bedrooms for the foster child and any other children living in your home
• You must complete foster parent training provided by the county or a non-profit agency
• You must be open to a home assessment of your house and family members

If all of these things go well, you’ll probably be approved for foster care. The other good news is that being LGBT doesn’t create the same challenges for foster care as it does for adoption.

Some Other Important Considerations Regarding Foster Care in Texas

A lot of people think that the County is so desperate for foster parents that they approve everyone. This is not the case. In fact, it couldn’t be any further from the truth. The County has a duty and obligation to make sure the people they approved for foster care are responsible and mature parents.

You also need to make sure you’re prepared to be a foster parent. Some of the things to keep in mind when it comes to foster care in Texas include:

• You don’t have to meet any minimum income requirements. But you do need to prove that you have steady employment and a steady paycheck.
• You’ll have to provide daycare or after school care if you work full-time
• You can be single or married. It doesn’t matter when it comes to becoming a foster parent.
• You should have a pretty stable address history. If you move around a lot, it won’t look good for your foster parent application.
• Children of the opposite sex can’t share a bedroom. There are exceptions for kids under the age of five (5)

Contact an Experienced LGBT Adoption Lawyer in Texas

If you think foster care is a good fit for your family, you should call an experienced LGBT adoption lawyer at Eddington & Worley. They can review your application and make sure you meet the requirements for foster care.