STEP-PARENT ADOPTION OVERVIEW
Step-Parent Adoption
Step-Parent adoptions are a two-part process. First, the parental rights of the biological parent must be terminated. This is the lengthiest and most court-intensive aspect of step-parent adoption cases and can last several months. In these cases, if the biological parent objects, he or she will be appointed an attorney. After an investigation by the family court investigator, a report will be submitted recommending whether terminating the other parent’s parental rights is in the best interest of your child.
The court will hold an abandonment hearing and if the evidence weighs in favor of terminating parental rights then the court will make that an order and/or possibly take it under submission to issue a ruling.
Once the parental rights of the biological parent have been terminated, the remainder of the case proceeds fairly quickly, with the Court hearing the adoption within 60 days from the date the parent’s parental rights are terminated. That court hearing is a wonderful occasion where the parents, child, and any family and friends the family wants to include are encouraged to attend. The judge may even allow photographs to be taken to commemorate the day.
We can help you determine the relevant facts and law affecting the termination of parental rights.