Texas adoption proceedings are governed by the Texas Family Code and can involve private placements, stepparent adoptions, foster care adoptions, and international adoptions, each with distinct consent, home study, and court approval requirements. An experienced adoption attorney helps families navigate the termination of parental rights, compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children when applicable, and the final decree process in Texas courts.
1. Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC
Founder: Bryan Fagan
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (281) 810-9760
Website: https://texasfamilyadoption.com
Office Locations:
- Houston (North): 3707 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77068 | (281) 810-9760
- Houston (Southwest): 7324 Southwest Freeway, Suite 570, Houston, TX 77074 | (281) 886-8109
Practice Areas: Adoption, stepparent adoption, domestic adoption, private adoption, relative adoption, divorce, child custody, family law
Firm Size: 27 attorneys; 170 total staff including paralegals
Fee Structure: Free consultation available; offices open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Languages: English
About the Firm: The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC was founded in 2012 by Bryan Fagan, who grew up in the Houston area and attended South Texas College of Law. The firm has grown to employ 27 attorneys and 170 total staff, including paralegals and support personnel. Bryan Fagan’s personal connection to adoption — two of his brothers were adopted — informs the firm’s approach to adoption cases. The firm handles stepparent, domestic, private, and relative adoptions throughout Texas, with a dedicated adoption website at texasfamilyadoption.com. The firm is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, and founding attorney Bryan Fagan is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, a distinction held by fewer than 10 percent of Texas attorneys. The firm maintains offices in two Houston locations and is available around the clock for client inquiries.
2. Laura Dale & Associates, P.C.
Managing Partner: Laura Dale
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 600-1717
Website: https://www.dalefamilylaw.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 1800 St. James Place, Suite 620, Houston, TX 77056 | (713) 600-1717
Practice Areas: Adoption, international adoption, private adoption, agency adoption, relative adoption, divorce, child custody, international child abduction, collaborative law, paternity, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, high net worth divorce, military divorce
Firm Size: Not publicly disclosed
Fee Structure: Not publicly disclosed; consultations available
Languages: English
About the Firm: Laura Dale & Associates, P.C. is a Houston family law firm led by Laura Dale, who was admitted to practice in 2001 and is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm handles adoption matters across a wide range of categories, from domestic private placements to international adoptions governed by the Hague Convention. Attorneys at the firm guide clients from initial paperwork through compliance with applicable rules and court finalization. In addition to adoption, the firm handles complex international family law matters, including custody disputes involving foreign nationals. The firm received the AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell in 2025, reflecting recognition from the peer review process conducted among attorneys. Laura Dale is a member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.
3. Christiansen Law Firm
Managing Partner: T. Wade Christiansen
Founded: Not publicly disclosed
Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
Phone: (210) 829-0101
Website: https://www.christiansenfirm.com
Office Locations:
- San Antonio: 1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700, San Antonio, TX 78213 | (210) 829-0101
- Houston: 16225 Park Ten Place, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77084 | (281) 579-2800
Practice Areas: Adoption, international adoption, grandparent adoption, stepparent adoption, agency adoption, private placement adoption, divorce, child custody, immigration and family-based immigration, guardianship, probate, estate planning, wills and trusts
Firm Size: Not publicly disclosed; over 30 years of combined attorney experience
Fee Structure: Free consultation; payment plans available; credit cards accepted; competitive fees
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Christiansen Law Firm has offices in San Antonio and Houston and handles a broad range of family law, immigration, and estate planning matters alongside its adoption practice. Lead attorney T. Wade Christiansen was admitted to practice in 1995 and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The firm handles all major adoption types, including grandparent, stepparent, agency, private placement, and international adoptions, with experience navigating the immigration law considerations that international adoptions require. The firm has built a practice representing Texas families for more than two decades and offers bilingual legal services in both English and Spanish. Payment plans are available to accommodate a range of financial situations.
4. The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo, PLLC
Managing Partner: Rebecca J. Carrillo
Founded: Not publicly disclosed
Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
Phone: (210) 405-6623
Website: https://www.rjc-lawfirm.com
Office Locations:
- San Antonio: 12915 Jones Maltsberger Road, Suite 524, San Antonio, TX 78247 | (210) 405-6623
Practice Areas: Adoption, divorce, child custody, child support, military divorce, high net worth divorce, protective orders, modifications, alimony, prenuptial agreements, annulments
Firm Size: 3 attorneys
Fee Structure: Flat fee available for uncontested matters; consultations available
Languages: English
About the Firm: The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo, PLLC is a San Antonio family law firm led by Rebecca J. Carrillo, who is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm handles adoption cases in South Texas courts, including Bexar County, Comal County, and Guadalupe County. Rebecca Carrillo guides clients through the entire adoption process, from ensuring proper termination of parental rights to completing required home studies and obtaining final court approval. The firm has received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion award in 2025 and has been listed on the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list multiple times. Two additional attorneys, Savannah G. Garcia and Rose M. Vasquez, round out the team. Clients have direct contact with attorneys and staff throughout their cases.
5. Christiansen Law Firm – Adoption Practice / ONDA Family Law (Adoption)
Managing Partner: Richard Orsinger
Founded: Not publicly disclosed
Headquarters: Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 273-2400
Website: https://ondafamilylaw.com
Office Locations:
- Dallas: 5950 Sherry Lane, Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75225 | (214) 273-2400
- Frisco: 2600 Network Blvd, Suite 200, Frisco, TX 75034 | (972) 963-5459
- San Antonio: 310 S. Saint Mary’s Street, Suite 2600, San Antonio, TX 78205 | (210) 225-5567
Practice Areas: Adoption, stepparent adoption, foster adoption, international adoption, divorce, child custody, property division, marital agreements, mediation, appellate matters
Firm Size: 21 attorneys (14 partners, 7 associates)
Fee Structure: Moderate pricing; specific fee details available upon consultation
Languages: English
About the Firm: Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP has practiced exclusively in family law for more than 30 years and handles adoption cases alongside its full range of family law services from offices in Dallas, Frisco, and San Antonio. Every partner is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm handles stepparent, foster care, and international adoption matters, applying the same depth of family law expertise that characterizes its divorce and custody work. ONDA has held Tier 1 rankings in Family Law for Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio from U.S. News/Best Lawyers for multiple consecutive years. For 2026, 18 of the firm’s attorneys were named to Best Lawyers in America or Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The firm serves clients across the state from its three Texas office locations.
Adoption in Texas is governed by the Texas Family Code Chapter 162, which establishes the requirements for adoption consent, home studies, placement, and court finalization. In most cases, the parental rights of the child’s biological parents must be terminated before an adoption can be completed, either voluntarily through a written relinquishment or involuntarily through a court proceeding. Texas requires a home study for most adoption proceedings, including an evaluation of the prospective adoptive parents’ home environment and background. When a child is being adopted from another state, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) requires approval from both the sending and receiving states before the placement can occur. International adoptions involving children from countries that are party to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption must comply with both federal law and the Texas Family Code. Stepparent adoptions require the consent of the non-custodial biological parent unless that parent’s rights have already been terminated or grounds for termination exist.
The firms listed on this page represent a selection of adoption practices operating across Texas. Each firm’s details, including office locations, phone numbers, practice areas, and background information, are based on publicly available data verified at the time of publication. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Individuals seeking legal representation should conduct their own research, verify current attorney licensing through the State Bar of Texas, and schedule consultations to determine the right fit for their specific situation.