How can we do a step-parent adoption ourselves in Texas?

I'm curious to know if the process for my new husband to adopt my daughter will be easy/cheap for us to do ourselves, or if we should hire a lawyer that is going to charge an arm and a leg? Does any one have experience or information about this please?

There is no way for you to do it yourself. Imagine the kind of fraud that could occur if such an adoption is "easy." The formalities for adoption exist for a reason -- because biological parents should retain all rights except for extraordinary circumstances.

That said, not all attorneys charge "an arm and a leg." It pays to shop around, just like any other service providers (e.g., a mechanic, a housekeeper, and the like). However, keep in mind that attorneys have to make a living too, and not all of us are living in mansions. Many of us are working class just like you, raising our kids and paying our mortgage.

In order to proceed with a stepparent adoption, it is usually necessary to terminate the parental rights of the non-custodial parent. Sometimes the biological parent agrees to the termination and adoption, but there are times when it is necessary to seek an involuntary termination and the case can be contested. Involuntary termination occurs under the standard of "best interest" of the child. For example, allegations of abuse, abandonment or neglect may be relevant.

You will need to consult an attorney to complete this process. Good luck.

Since you will need to have your daughter's father to give up his rights, either willingly or by fighting him, your best bet would be to hire an attorney. You want to make sure that there are absolutely no slip ups with the termination of his parental rights and your husband's adoption of the child. This is too important to not hire an attorney.

BTW, most courts will want you and the potential adoptive parent to be married for at least one year before the court will consider a step-parent adoption. Since you said "new husband", you might need to wait a while longer. You can go ahead and speak to attornies now, however, to start the process.