Step Parent

A step-parent adoption is a type of independent adoption where a step-parent adopts the child of their spouse and the spouse maintains his/her legal rights.

Step-parent adoptions can be sensitive, especially if the other biological/legal parent is still alive. With a step-parent adoption, because the biological/legal parents’ parental rights would be terminated, they must be notified and approve of the step-parent’s intent to adopt. If the biological/legal parent cannot be found or refuses to consent, it is still possible for a court to grant the adoption. In this instance, the biological/legal parent must be notified of the adoption and provided an opportunity to object. If the legal parent does not object the adoption will be granted if it is in the best interest of the child. If a legal parent objects to the adoption, then the outcome is specific to each case. 

I represent step-parents, birth parents or the child (if older than 10 years of age) in step-parent adoptions, whether consensual or contested by the natural parent.