A stable, loving family is ideal for children, regardless of whether that family involves two biological parents or one biological parent and a stepparent. When one biological parent has been absent in the child's life and a stepparent has been actively involved, it is possible for the stepparent to legally adopt the child to formalize his or her parental role and acquire the same legal rights and obligations as a biological parent.
The Law Offices of Wendy Raquel Hernandez, P.C., provides experienced legal counsel to help clients navigate the legal process of adopting a stepchild in Arizona. Our Phoenix stepparent adoption lawyers have extensive family law experience and can guide clients through the process efficiently and effectively.
Adopting a Stepchild
When a stepparent adopts his or her stepchild, there are benefits for both the parent and child.
- The family is united as a whole and the child often feels more complete
- The stepparent acquires rights to make or partake in important decisions affecting the child's upbringing, such as education, medical decisions and other important matters
- The stepchild and stepparent acquire inheritance rights under Arizona intestate laws
The stepparent adoption process can be relatively straightforward when one of the biological parents is not involved in the child's life by exercising visitation rights/parenting time and is not paying child support. However, before proceeding with the stepparent adoption, it is necessary to gain the consent of the uninvolved biological parent and legally terminate his or her parental rights. In some cases, court involvement may be necessary if consent cannot be secured, such as if the other parent cannot be located or if he or she contests the stepparent adoption.
Our Phoenix stepparent adoption lawyers can advise clients throughout the legal process, from seeking consent of the absent biological parent and obtaining termination of his or her parental rights, to completing all necessary documentation and appearances to finalize the stepparent adoption.
Contact Our Phoenix Stepparent Adoption Lawyers
If you have questions about stepparent adoption, termination of parental rights or other related family law issues, we welcome you to contact our law firm to arrange a consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable Arizona stepparent adoption attorney.
