10 Birth Father FAQs with Adoption Choices of Texas

By Jacob LaBau

The birth father’s rights in the adoption process are unclear and rather complicated. They are not as specific as a birth mother’s rights, and his control over the adoption process is limited. The amount of control he receives will differ based on your marital status, acknowledgment of the child, signing a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity, and more. You need to understand the role a birth father plays in adoption. This is why Adoption Choices of Texas will be answering ten commonly asked questions about birth fathers.

10 FAQs About Birth Fathers in Texas

1. Will the Birth Father be Included in the Decision-Making Process?

Ask yourself this question: do I want him to be a part of the decision-making process? Because your need or desire for him to help you with decisions is the only thing that matters. In some cases, the birth father will choose not to be involved in the child’s life. According to the legal system surrounding adoption in Texas, the birth father will need to sign a Denial of Paternity. If he does choose to be involved in the child’s life, he can block or support the adoption.

2. Is the Adoption Process Different for the Birth Father?

It can be. The birth father plays a different role, but he will share the same experiences. He will be there to support you in any way you need and adoptive family selection. If you are undergoing an unplanned pregnancy, reach out to the birth father as soon as possible. Give him time to process the information and explain to him that you may pursue adoption. See what local adoption agencies are near you and get started on the adoption plan with or without the birth father today!

3. Can the Birth Father be Included in the Post-Placement Communication Plan?

Yes, he can! If you and the birth father are no longer together, he can still receive updates from the adoptive family about your baby. Post-placement communication types are good guidelines for what to expect, but they can be altered to fit different requests. Talk to the birth father and listen to his desires to create a healthy post-placement communication plan! If you are pregnant and are unsure if you can raise your baby, check out your pregnant adoption option. Read through some of the steps and see just how easy adoption can really be!

4. Will the Birth Father be Notified of Me Placing the Baby for Adoption?

Yes, he will. Adoption Choices of Texas will attempt to locate and notify the birth father that you are planning on placing your child for adoption. We will not try to persuade him of anything. The only thing we will do is inform the birth father of his rights before you proceed with an adoption. As seen earlier, there is little control that the birth father has in the adoption process. Try to remain calm and realize that he only has a few options that can only be enacted upon in special circumstances.

5. Is the Birth Father’s Rights Different if I am Married to Him?

A birth father’s rights are drastically different if you are married to him. If a birth father is married to the mother at the time of birth, the birth father is considered the child’s legal guardian. This also means that you are given more power regarding the future of your baby. A married birth father can choose to block the adoption if he does not agree with your decision. Blocking an adoption is not as easy as it sounds. A birth father must file a legal action to stop the proceedings, which can get held up in court. Find out more about marriage in Texas and what it means to a birth father at Adoption Choices of Texas.

6. Can He Block the Adoption of My Child?

There are four strict legal requirements for a birth father to meet in order to object to an adoption. The four legal requirements are:

• The first one, as you already know a little about, deals with marriage. If the birth father is married to the birth mother, then he could attempt to block the adoption. He also could if he was married to her within 300 days of the child’s birth.
• If the birth father has publicly acknowledged the child as his own and has received him or her into your own home.
• If the birth father and birth, mother have both signed a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity to have you listed as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate. This is usually signed at the time of the child’s birth; however, it is not a requirement and should not be done if you are both planning to place the child for adoption.
• If the birth father has done everything in his power to take care of the child and birth mother both financially and emotionally.

7. Does the Birth Father Need to be Present During the Departure of My Child?

This answer depends on your marital status and your overall effort in the adoption process. If you and the birth father are married and the father is the legal guardian, the adoptive family will require his signature too. If not, you can sign off on the documents without the father’s consent. San Antonio has awaiting adoptive families who are more than fit to raise a child. See if any are right for you at Adoption in San Antonio.

8. Will the Birth Father Pay Child Support?

The answer is no. The financial burden will be handed off to the adoptive family once the adoption is official. Until then, you and the birth father are financially responsible during pregnancy, to an extent. Adoption Choices of Texas can offer financial assistance to you and the birth father. Some ways include medical costs, living expenses, and emotional support. See all the ways Adoption Choices of Texas can financially support you.

9. I Have not Heard Anything Back from the Birth Father. What do I Do?

There is not a whole lot you can do to tell you the truth. If he is not responding to calls or text messages, forget about him. As stated earlier, Adoption Choices of Texas will find him. We will help him understand his rights as a birth father and that you are pursuing adoption. To place a child for adoption is a choice and your choice alone. Forgive, forget, and start an adoption plan.

10. Can an Adoption Agency in Texas Help Me?

Of course! Adoption Choices of Texas has adoption agencies in every major city, including San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Each agency has passionate employees that can help place your baby for adoption. We can help you with expenses and counsel if necessary. Contact an adoption specialist and see about your pregnant adoption option now. If you are a birth mother struggling with an unsupportive birth father who is against adoption, see if Adoption Choices of Texas is for you.

As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!

Adoption Choices of Texas es la única agencia de adopción con servicios completamente en esapñol en el estado de Texas. Si está embarazada y necesita ayuda, llámenos o envíenos un mensaje de texto y uno de nuestros especialistas en adopción podrá ayudarlo. Podemos ayudarte con la adopcion de niños. Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de adopción como una mujer embarazada o una madre biológica, comuníquese con Adoption Choices of Texas. Para español llamar: 888-510-5029