Step-parent Adoption
Step-parent adoption

Often, after marriage to a spouse with a child, a step-parent may wish to step into the role of parent. In order to be eligible to adopt as a step-parent, the individual must be over the age of eighteen and presently married to a consenting natural or adoptive parent. Additionally, both natural parents must consent or the a non-consenting parental rights must have been terminated.

There are two possible routes to a successful step-parent adoption.

1. Consent.

Obviously, the easiest and least costly avenue to step-parent adoption is when the natural parents consent to the adoption. This often occurs when an absentee parent terminates his/her parental rights thus extinguishing his or her child support obligation.

Under the law, both the custodial and non-custodial biological parents sign forms consenting to adoption by the step-parent and waiving further notice of the proceedings. The petitioning step parent submits to the court a Petition of adoption along with a request for the Court to waive any home study. A Judge may waive or not waive the home study as part of their discretion.

2. Termination of Parental Rights.

Click Here for more information on Terminating Parental Rights