Adopting a Stepchild in California | Stepparent Adoption
Does your stepchild consider you a parent? Are you the one who helps with homework, talks to the doctor, and cheers at games and recitals? If something happened to your spouse, would you still want to be part of your stepchild’s life? It is critical to understand this simple fact: as a stepparent, you have no legal rights to custody of your stepchild in California without a legal adoption.
If you want permanent physical child custody by adopting your stepchildren due to your spouse’s incapacity or any other reason, you will need the assistance of an experienced lawyer to get the results you and your family need. Kaspar & Lugay, LLP, supports blended families and strives to protect parent-child relationships through stepparent adoption.
Call 415-789-5881 or contact us online to schedule a consultation about the facts of your case.
Why Is Stepparent Adoption Important
If your spouse became incapacitated, died, or you divorced, the court may award custody of your stepchild to a relative, family member, or even a parent who has never been part of your child’s life. You could be prevented from ever seeing your stepchild again. Through stepparent adoption, your legal relationship with your child will align with your day-to-day reality: a normal parent-child relationship.
Here’s what you should know about stepparent adoptions:
- Stepparents adopting a stepchild is one of the most common forms of adoption.
- Stepparent adoption means the stepparent is fully responsible for the child.
- The non-custodial parent no longer has any legal rights and responsibilities for the child after the adoption.
Navigating Birth Parent Rights as an Adopting Step-Parent
Before you can proceed with adoption process, the court will need to know that the birth parent is willing to waive his or her rights. In a case where it is clear the biological parent is unfit, the court may issue an order terminating parental rights. We will determine whether there are barriers to adoption and will help with necessary legal measures to have your case filed with the court. It is our goal to protect families.
Call 415-789-5881 or contact us online to schedule a consultation to discuss the appropriate first steps in your case. If your spouse, the parent, has already become incapacitated, time is of the essence!
