Whether the request stems from a parent remarrying and wanting all children to have the same name, the inability to locate a biological parent, or perhaps the passing of a parent, the adopting parent must be informed of the consequences of their decision to adopt on the support of the children and on rights of inheritance of the children.
A stepparent adoption is still a legal adoption that severs all rights of the biological parent. The parental rights of the parent must be terminated for the stepparent to adopt. Termination of parental rights is a serious step for the biological parent since it severs all legal connection between the parent and child. It may require a separate hearing and proof of the parent’s failure to pay child support or failure of the parent to make efforts to maintain a relationship with his or her child. Hiring an experienced lawyer will ensure that you choose the proper method for terminating the biological parent’s rights.
Once the adoption process is complete, the adopting parent and the child will have all of the legal rights and duties between a parent and a child that the law provides for natural born children, including all of the obligations of parenting, even in the event that the adoptive parents separate or divorce.
One thing is certain -- all legal steps must be followed and the adoption must be brought before a judge to be legally effective.
For more information or to meet with an adoption attorney at Amori & Associates, LLC, please contact us by email or call us at (570) 421-1406 to schedule an appointment today.