Helping Stepparents Take The Next Step With Adoption

Being a stepparent is an important and rewarding role. Some stepparents want to reinforce that bond by legally adopting a stepchild or stepchildren. This adoption is a big decision and should be recognized as such.

At The Davies Law Firm, LLC, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the process of stepparent adoption and what it means to your family. Our offices in Cocoa and Orlando represent families across Central Florida with their stepparent adoption cases. As with all family law matters, we place a high priority on the interests of your family, helping you identify solutions that are in the best interests of your children. Call us now at 855-688-4713 to schedule your free consultation.

What Happens When Stepparents Adopt?

Among other things, stepparent adoption confers the legal right to receive Social Security upon an adoptive parent’s death or incapacitation, as well as the right to pursue compensation in the event of wrongful death.

Stepchild adoption is much more than a symbolic gesture because it comes with significant long-term ramifications. Among other things, it frees the natural parent of support obligations. We can explain the process and the full impact of stepparent adoption during a free consultation.

Knowledgeable Guidance For Parental Rights

Courts are hesitant to separate biological parents from their children. Stepparents may adopt a child only after the noncustodial parent has been removed from the status of the legal parent by consent, court order or death. We can assist you in obtaining the permission of the noncustodial parent to terminate their rights.

In circumstances where the other biological parent cannot be found, we will file a motion on your behalf seeking the termination of parental rights. If the other parent has been absent from the child’s life for an extensive period of time, yet refuses to consent, an attorney can file a petition for termination of parental rights that summarizes why their rights should be terminated.

Conversely, we will assist you if you are a biological parent seeking to protect your interests and stop your child’s mother or father from terminating your parental rights.

Get Guidance You Need

Call 855-688-4713 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our Orlando stepparent adoption lawyer. We can answer your questions, review the facts of your case and provide a straightforward assessment of a likely outcome.