Termination & Adoption in Texas
Helping You Build or Protect the Family You Deserve
At Haugen Law Firm, P.C., we understand that adoption is not just a legal transaction—it’s a life-changing event. Whether you’re looking to welcome a child into your home or take legal steps to protect a child’s well-being, our team of family law attorneys is here to guide you with clarity, care, and strength.
Based in Lewisville and proudly serving families across Denton County, we help clients navigate the complex, emotional, and often delicate legal processes of termination of parental rights and adoption—ensuring that every step is handled with the precision and compassion your family deserves.
Texas Adoption Law: What You Need to Know
Adoption legally establishes a parent-child relationship between individuals who are not biologically related. It grants the adoptive parent(s) the same rights and responsibilities as biological parents and often involves legally terminating one or both birthparents’ parental rights before finalization.
At Haugen Law, our attorneys assist with a wide range of adoption cases, including:
- Stepparent Adoptions
- Relative or Grandparent Adoptions
- Agency Adoptions
- Private or Independent Adoptions
- Foster-to-Adopt
- Same-Sex Couple and Single-Parent Adoptions
- Adult Adoptions
We help you navigate the paperwork, court appearances, and home studies involved in the process, working hard to protect your rights and eliminate delays.
Termination of Parental Rights in Texas
Before most adoptions can proceed, parental rights must be legally terminated—either voluntarily by the biological parent(s) or involuntarily through a court order. Termination is a serious legal step and must meet strict legal standards under Texas law.
Voluntary Termination typically occurs when a biological parent agrees that adoption is in the child’s best interest.
Involuntary Termination may happen when there is a history of:
- Abandonment or neglect
- Abuse or endangerment
- Failure to support the child financially or emotionally
- Criminal conduct or imprisonment
At Haugen Law Firm, we approach termination cases with strategic precision and emotional sensitivity, always keeping the child’s safety and long-term stability at the forefront.
Open vs. Closed Adoptions: What’s Right for You?
Adoptions in Texas may be either open (where the birthparents and adoptive parents share information and maintain contact) or closed (where identities remain confidential). We will walk you through the pros and cons of each model and help you structure an agreement that aligns with your preferences and the child’s best interests.
We also counsel clients on important considerations, such as:
- Post-placement contact agreements
- Financial support allowed during pregnancy
- Interstate and international adoption complexities
- The rights of biological fathers
Why Families Choose Haugen Law
Our firm brings more than just legal skill—we bring real-world experience, strong community roots, and a child-centered approach. Whether you're growing your family through adoption or seeking to protect a child through termination, we provide:
- Clear communication
- Detailed guidance through every legal step
- Extensive courtroom experience when needed
- Compassionate, responsive service from start to finish
Begin the Next Chapter With Confidence
Bringing a child into your life—or ensuring their protection—is one of the most meaningful decisions you can make. Let Haugen Law Firm, P.C. help you take that step with confidence and peace of mind.
Call us today at (972) 460-6798. Serving families in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Denton County, and surrounding areas.
What Our Clients Are Saying
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"John and Delaney put me at ease and took the stress out of my situation."Divorce is a very stressfull life event. John and Delaney put me at ease and took the stress out of my situation. I cannot stress enough how at ease they made me feel, knowing that everything was handled. They gave me the confidence that we could, and did, get what I needed and was asking for quickly without going to court. Thank you Haugen Law!!- Gary
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"Not Enough Money Or Words To Show How I Feel"I don't have enough money or words to show how I feel. I can't express enough how much I really appreciate everything.
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"Shifted My Thinking From Tactical To Strategic"John was very knowledgeable on divorce. He helped me shift my thinking from tactical to strategic. John is a stand-up guy.
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"Staff was always professional and on point with my case."Connor was great to work with, has a solid understanding of my needs and rights and was clear about laying them out for me to understand and make the best decision possible. Staff was always professional and on point with my case, Not to mention Connor was lights out in court and was very professional and had my case well put together. Highly recommended !
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"I cannot thank them enough for all their support and patience with me during the process with all of my questions and walking me through the long process."I researched and wanted a lawyer familiar with military families and the Haugen Law Firm was it! I had so many different factors in my divorce and child custody, and you truly get what you pay for. I am so thankful to have found them and for all the guidance and help through the process. I cannot recommend Connor and Delaney more! This is already a stressful situation and to be able to have a team to help me better understand the ins and outs of the legal tidbits and process helped. It was well worth the cost and even though it feels expensive I know without a doubt that my divorce and custody was done right, and the paperwork shows it. They helped me think of things a regular divorce lawyer wouldn't know due to being a military family. If I need legal help again, I will be coming back for sure! I cannot thank them enough for all their support and patience with me during the process with all of my questions and walking me through the long process.
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"I will definitely turn to them if I need a family law attorney in the future."Haugen Law Firm, specifically Connor Haugen, Ms. Delaney and Ms. Maggie, helped me through a difficult spousal maintenance issue. They explained the process to me in detail and helped me understand my options and were successful in meeting my goal. I will definitely turn to them if I need a family law attorney in the future.
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"Conner is an exceptional young lawyer"
Conner is an exceptional young lawyer who works tirelessly to achieve the best results for his clients.
- Anonymous -
"Great team you can count on!"John and all the staff are knowledgeable, compassionate, and committed to obtaining the best results.- HMercado