| If you are a single parent who is about to marry or | | | | order to allow an adoption to go forward. Some less |
| has just married someone other than your child’s | | | | than involved parents see the benefit that their child |
| other parent, you may wish to consult with | | | | may receive by being adopted, and will agree. |
| Washington State divorce attorneys about step | | | | However, absent agreement, a parent will have to |
| parent adoption. Step parent adoption can benefit | | | | be declared unfit in order to have their rights |
| everyone—child and all parents—under certain | | | | extinguished. Washington State divorce attorneys do |
| conditions. Whether your psychological, social, and | | | | handle these kinds of cases, but they are very |
| familial conditions are right is something you must | | | | difficult and can be very expensive. |
| decide yourself. Whether your family meets the legal | | | | The Washington State divorce attorneys at McKinley |
| criteria is something Washington State divorce | | | | Irvin can give you some straight guidance on |
| attorneys can help you with. | | | | step-parent adoption. Having seen divorces and |
| First, in order for a step parent to adopt, both of the | | | | Washington State child custody cases from all sides, |
| child’s current legal parents must agree to the | | | | our Washington State divorce attorneys are in a |
| adoption. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the | | | | unique position to evaluate adoption and custody |
| right to parent is a fundamental constitutional right, | | | | cases. We take a child first approach to custody and |
| and it is difficult (but not impossible) to take that | | | | adoption, and we can give you the information you |
| away. A parent may agree to give up this right in | | | | need to make an informed decision. |