| Step parents make up a large portion of adults who | | | | adoption is often the most difficult part of the |
| seek to adopt. Many children are left with a single | | | | process. When a step parent is approved for |
| parent because of a tragic accident, abandonment, or | | | | adoption, s/he takes over the parental rights and |
| other conflict. Another adult may later step forward | | | | obligations that the noncustodial parent had. |
| and help the biological parent raise the child, | | | | Therefore, law often requires that the noncustodial |
| effectively acting as a parent. A step parent may | | | | willingly relinquish his or her parental rights or the |
| provide equal support and care for the child, giving | | | | adoption cannot go through. In some cases, |
| the step child a second parent that he or she would | | | | however, consent may not be necessary. The |
| have otherwise been denied. In cases in which | | | | obvious exception is when the noncustodial spouse is |
| another adult becomes a joint caregiver, he or she | | | | deceased. If s/he is missing or abandoned the child, |
| may be able to legally adopt the step child and gain | | | | the court may rule to withdraw parental status from |
| joint parental rights. | | | | the noncustodial parent and grant it to the step |
| Steps in Step Adoption | | | | parent instead. |
| When an adult decides to adopt a step child as his or | | | | Clearly step parent adoptions vary greatly from |
| her own, s/he takes on the responsibility and status | | | | situation to situation. The adoption process can be |
| of a legal parent with full parental rights under the | | | | fairly simple or very complex depending on the |
| law. The steps for adoption vary depending on the | | | | circumstances and the state in which the adoption |
| circumstances and on the state in which the | | | | application is initiated. If you are an adult considering |
| prospective parent applies for adoption. Some steps | | | | adopting a step child, consider talking with an |
| involved in a typical step parent adoption include: | | | | adoption lawyer about your situation. An adoption |
| - Gaining consent from the custodial parent to adopt | | | | attorney can guide you through the application |
| the child | | | | process and can help to clarify the adoption |
| - Gaining consent from the noncustodial parent to | | | | qualifications and procedure for your state. |
| adopt the child, effectively relinquishing the | | | | For More Information |
| noncustodial parent's parental rights | | | | To learn more about the adoption process for step |
| - Providing evidence of financial ability to jointly | | | | parents and how an adoption attorney can assist |
| support the child | | | | you, please visit the website of the Austin adoption |
| Gaining Consent from the Noncustodial Parent | | | | lawyers of Slater Kennon & Jameson, LLP |
| Getting the noncustodial parent to approve the | | | | today. |