Adoption is often associated with the process of bringing a child into a family. However, there exists another form of adoption that is less discussed but equally significant: adult adoption. In Texas, adults can adopt other adults under certain circumstances. This unique aspect of family law raises intriguing questions about the nature of familial relationships and the legal benefits that come with adult adoption.
Legal Requirements for Adult Adoption
In Texas, the laws regarding adult adoption are relatively straightforward. According to the Texas Family Code, any adult may be adopted by another adult who’s at least 21 years old and not married to the person being adopted. Additionally, the person seeking adoption must have lived in Texas for at least six months before filing the adoption petition.
Why Would an Adult Adopt Another Adult?
While the emotional benefits of adult adoption are significant, there are also practical legal advantages that come with formalizing the parent-child relationship.
The following are some of the key legal benefits of adult adoption in Texas.
Inheritance Rights
One of the most significant benefits of adult adoption is the establishment of inheritance rights. Upon completion of the adoption process, the adopted adult becomes a legal heir of the adoptive parent, with the same inheritance rights as a biological child. This ensures that the adopted adult is entitled to a share of the adoptive parent's estate in the event of their death, just like any other child.
Health Benefits
Adult adoption can also have implications for health care benefits. In some cases, adult children may be eligible to receive health insurance coverage through their adoptive parents' employer-sponsored plans. This can provide much-needed access to medical care and financial security for the adopted adult.
Social Security Benefits
Another important legal benefit of adult adoption is eligibility for Social Security benefits. Adopted adults may be entitled to survivor benefits, disability benefits, or other forms of financial assistance through the Social Security Administration. This can provide crucial support for adopted adults who are unable to work due to disability or other circumstances.
Legal Recognition of Relationships
Adult adoption also serves to legally recognize and formalize existing parent-child relationships. This can be particularly important in situations where the adopted adult has been raised by the adoptive parent since childhood but lacks a formal legal relationship. Adult adoption solidifies the bonds of family and provides a sense of security and belonging for all parties involved.
We Can Assist with Adult Adoptions
In many cases, those who marry spouses with adult children seek adult adoption because they wish confer certain legal rights to those adult children. In other cases, two adult parties may otherwise share a strong parent-child bond that they wish to formalize.
While the concept of adult adoption may seem unusual to some, it’s a very normal process that can provide a variety of practical benefits. If adult adoption sounds like a legal procedure you wish to pursue, you can always reach out to Kay Polk, Attorney at Law for legal assistance. We can explain the process and its benefits in greater detail, providing you with the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
Learn more during an initial consultation. Contact us today to request yours.
