Adoption is generally one of the happier areas of family law. A step-parent adoption, in particular, often affirms an already strong relationship between a child and a stepfather or stepmother. The court action is usually a joyous occasion in a blended family. Adoption by a stepparent can provide greater security for both the child and the stepmother or stepfather who becomes a full legal parent of the child from a previous relationship in a remarriage situation.
How Does Stepchild Adoption Help a Blended Family?
The biological mother or father will never be replaced from the point of DNA and genetic origins. However, the legal aspect of parenting will be formally assumed by the stepparent.
- Texas parental rights of the absent biological father or mother will be terminated.
- The adoptive mother or father (now stepmother or stepfather) will assume all rights that a biological parent has to make decisions for the child.
- The child will essentially be "grafted in" to the family tree of the adoptive parent, with rights in inheritance in the new family line.
- An adopted stepchild will normally take the surname of a new father, if appropriate.
Assuming that you, as a step parent are ready to proceed with an adoption, an experienced Plano stepparent adoption attorney at the Rachel Firm can help streamline the process.
If the biological parent protests, you may need a strong family law attorney with experience in the area of step parent adoptions. When that parent has been uninvolved in the child's life, resolving any dispute may be straightforward. A review of the facts of your situation will help determine the most advantageous way to proceed in a proposed stepparent adoption.
Schedule a Complimentary Consultation With Plano Divorce Lawyer Megan Rachel
Contact Megan Rachel for a free consultation and case review from a respected Plano step parent adoption attorney with the skills and experience to resolve your stepparent adoption in Plano or in a nearby community such as the following:
