Stepparent Adoption
A Lawyer Helping Families With Step Parent Adoption
In a step parent adoption, the step parent is recognized as having the same rights and responsibilities toward the child that the biological parent has. When this happens, the rights of a birth parent are legally terminated and substituted by the step parent. At FAMILYBUILDING™, A Professional Law Corporation, we regularly advise step parents and their spouses on issues related to adopting a step child. At Adoption Law Firm Anaheim California servicing all of California we are no strangers to this process. The frequency in which this particular service is offered has resulted in a high level of expertise in this area of adoption and makes us a great choice for you to be able to pursue this with ease and clarity. Step parent adoptions can be scary and something many families legally put off as their relationship makes them feel like family even when it is not an officially completely legal process. Although it may seem simple to some, the process of legally adopting a step child can have a lasting change in your family, particularly for the child for whose well being is of primary importance to us.
Step-parents and biological parents often have concerns that include:
- Will the absent biological parent give consent to the adoption?
- How much will adoption cost?
- What if the biological parent dies before the step-parent adoption occurs? Will the child be taken away from the step parent?
- Is there a need for any litigation and what will it cost?
Step Parent Adoption Is Increasingly Common
Cases such as these are seen by our staff at Adoption Law Firm Anaheim California servicing all of California on a frequent basis. Generally, adoption of your spouse’s child is an inexpensive, relatively simple process. It is becoming increasingly common as parents divorce and remarry. Families are built in many ways, and regardless of the way in which your family has come together, we provide the services you’ll need to solidify that family union through the step parent adoption process. The process is something that we specialize in particularly due to the frequency of cases we see and address which makes us a perfect fit for you and your family. Step parent adoption isn’t only meant to solidify the family, but also to restore a generation line that might have been severed or damaged due to a divorce or even death of one of the biological parents. By adopting the child it can create a stable home environment and allow the child to feel that family security that could have been lost in the process.
Adult Adoption of a Step Child
Firstly, for adoption to take place, the birth parent must consent to a termination of parental rights and agree to the adoption. This can become an issue if the consent cannot be secured by the birth parent which is not an uncommon roadblock to face. Rest assured that FAMILYBUILDING™ Attorneys can advocate on your behalf as an Adoption Law Firm Anaheim California servicing all of California for the termination of rights. Another option for the step parent to be able to finalize the step parent adoption process is to wait until the child is an adult and is able to then freely choose to be legally adopted by the step parent. This is known as adult adoption and can still be very impactful for the family. What’s most important to us is to help you solidify your family regardless of when it is possible for you and the child to finalize this process.
Working Out Agreements With Birth Parents
On occasion finding the birth parent in order to obtain consent may raise issues, but with the right approach and effective representation, all of these issues can be resolved. At Adoption Law Firm Anaheim California servicing all of California, we have handled many situations where agreements with birth fathers who were initially reluctant to consent rights have ultimately been worked out. We work to help them see that the adoption is in the best interest of their child. Advocating for the child’s wellbeing, stability, and care is of utmost importance to us and becomes our top priority when working with our clients.
One of our ethical adoption attorneys will sit down with you during a meeting and help you decide whether a step-parent adoption is advisable in your particular situation. Although we see step parent adoption cases with great frequency, every family and situation is entirely unique and is to be handled as such. Step parent adoptions can be complex, particularly if there was a complex divorce process with the biological parents. We are no strangers to the complexities of relationships and legal processes. Working with Adoption Law Firm Anaheim California servicing all of California, you’ll feel confident knowing that you are working with a knowledgeable and ethical team of legal professionals who are also fairly priced and will provide you with the effective representation that you are looking for.
A two parent, loving and safe home is the opportunity we want to restore and provide for each child. Stability is important, particularly with children who have experienced difficulty with their parents divorce and are not in a healthy two parent home environment with a biological parent and a step parent. Regardless of the child’s parents divorcing, the child can grow up to feel safe, supported, and seen when in a healthy two parent home even if the second parent is the step parent. We want to clear up the myths that some people may believe in regards to the relationship that children can have with their step parents and the family dynamic that can be experienced in a home with a step parent.
Trusting the law professionals at Adoption Law Firm Anaheim California servicing all of California will ensure that you receive all of the information you’ll need to know as well as best practices as it relates to step parent adoption. We take this commitment seriously to walk alongside you and your family on this journey and would love the opportunity to meet with you and see how the services we have to offer can help you in your unique situation.