A step parent adoption is wonderful when the child has only one biological parent involved in his life who remarries and the new step parent cares enough for the child to choose to adopt him. However, step parent adoptions are not always easy and sometimes they can actually be quite difficult. Nevertheless, most states have some statutes that make adopting a step child a little easier. The first thing you will need to do, however, is have the biological parent who is not involved in the childs life give up his parental rights. Some parents do this readily because the adoption means they will no longer be required to pay child support. Others may want to get out of the responsibility of paying child support, but are unwilling to sign over their parental rights simply to make life more difficult for their ex spouse and the new family. Nevertheless, most states have a statute that states that if a biological parent has been out of the life of the child for one year or more or who does not pay child support or who seems completely indifferent to having a biological child prior to the adoption process then the court may not need their consent to the adoption at all. The biological parent who married the step parent will be required to give consent and the child, if of legal consenting age (some states say 10, others 12 or 14), will also be required to sign off on the adoption process. Once all of these hoops have been jumped through a lawyer will be able to file the adoption papers. Sometimes there are glitches, sometimes judges dont readily approve the adoption, and there are more things that must be done. However, if a step parent is determined to adopt a step child and the other biological parent of the child is not in the picture then it will more than likely work out. Just remember a good lawyer skilled in step parent adoptions will be your best bet to finding the way to adopt a step child even when there are significant barriers in the way.

Posted in Parenting

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