Denton Divorce Lawyer

Adopting an Older Child

When they hear the word “adoption,” most people envision a couple adopting a newborn or infant. However, there are also thousands of older children in the foster care system who are in need of permanent homes. While it is not the right choice for everyone, many families have found older child adoption to be a rewarding experience.

Before undergoing the adoption process, it is important to understand all of your legal rights and options. To learn more, contact a Denton family law attorney from Alexander & Associates today at 972-420-6560.

Factors to Consider

While every adoption is different, there are certain advantages and disadvantages that apply to many older child adoptions. Some of the advantages include:

• The opportunity to know about your child’s history and ability levels at the time of adoption. There are some conditions that cannot be diagnosed in infancy, and thus may become unexpected complications for families that adopt infants. An older child will also be better able to remember his or her past and describe those memories, giving his or her parents important information about his or her life.
• Greater levels of independence. Older children are generally better able to care for themselves and entertain themselves than small children.

Of course, there are also potential disadvantages. Older children with histories of abuse or neglect may suffer from emotional or developmental disorders than can be difficult to handle. However, for many families that have expanded through adoption, the challenges are greatly outweighed by the benefits.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the legalities of adopting a child of any age, we may be able to help. Contact the Denton divorce lawyers of Alexander & Associates at 972-420-6560 today for more information.