Stepparent adoption is one way of demonstrating the affection that has developed within a blended family. However, it’s more than a matter of the heart; an adoption confers rights and responsibilities on the adoptive parent and additional legal protections on the adopted child.
Stepparent adoptions are often desirable when widows or widowers remarry because the new spouse would have no rights (and the child, presumably, less protection) if anything should happen to the natural parent. In cases of divorce and remarriage, stepparent adoptions can be unnecessary, as when both natural parents are actively and constructively engaged in parenting. A stepparent adoption may be essential for the welfare of the child when a natural parent is unreliable, erratic or dangerous.
The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer assists in all aspects of stepparent adoption throughout Santa Clara and Alameda counties. With more than 30 years of combined family law experience, our attorneys deliver thorough and effective service to ensure a successful completion of the adoption process.
California does not permit a child to have more than two parents, so a legal parent can veto a stepparent adoption by refusing to give up his or her parental rights. When that happens, you must challenge the fitness of that parent by presenting evidence of “willful failure” as a parent or “abandonment.” Evidence that the parent has not contacted or supported the child in more than a year is generally necessary. In rare cases, a parent may be only an “alleged father,” in which case you can challenge the man’s paternity to terminate his rights.
If you’re ready to move forward with a stepparent adoption, The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer can give you the information and assistance you need to do it successfully. Contact an experienced attorney who you can trust. Schedule a free consultation If you’re ready to move forward with a stepparent adoption, The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer can give you the information and assistance you need to do it successfully. Contact an experienced attorney who you can trust. Schedule a free consultation today.
