How Do I Adopt My Stepchild?

In many blended families it is commonplace to adopt a stepchild or for that matter all of the stepchildren. But if you are wondering how to go about accomplishing that legal process.

Most commonly, it is a situation where a man is married to a woman who has a child from a prior marriage or relationship, and the man wants to adopt her child. It could also be the case that the man has a child from a prior relationship, and the woman wants to adopt the child.

The primary reason for adopting a stepchild is in order to obtain enforceable parental rights. This process requires cooperation from all parties involved, including both of the stepchild’s biological parents if both are still living.

The noncustodial biological parent must first relinquish his or her parental rights in order to have a stepparent adopt a child in Arizona. When biological parents consent to this type of adoption, they can voluntarily terminate their parental rights. Under the correct and extreme circumstances, parental rights may be involuntary terminated.

Adopting a stepchild can be a complicated process, and though the paperwork may seem simple, it represents a significant legal action that may be mishandled. To avoid complications and simplify the process, you can hire a mediator that does adoptions in their family practice.

Once you make the decision to adopt a stepchild or children, the natural parent must complete a “Consent to Adopt” form, and the stepparent and other natural parent must complete a “Petition to Adopt” form. If there are no issues or errors with consent or other requirements, the adoption will be legally granted.

When a stepparent adopts a stepchild, this is a strong family connection that can bring the blended families even closer. But it’s also a way for the stepparent to receive legal responsibilities of the child just as natural parents would.

After adoption, stepparents have the same financial and personal obligation to care for the child and provide for his or her basic needs. This adoption decision should never be taken lightly, so before requesting that the biological parent relinquish his or her rights, the stepparent must weigh their decision carefully.

At WHYmediate?, Find out if mediation can allow you to resolve step parent adoptions in a positive learning environment that covers how to deal with all the special days in your life.

Presented By:
WHYmediate? Mediation Services
4500 South Lakeshore Drive Suite 300 
Tempe, AZ 85282 
(480) 777-5500
http://whymediate.solutions