Adoption is a legal procedure in which an adult becomes the legal parent of someone who is not his or her biological child. Stepparent adoption is adoption of a marital partner's child. Legally, there is no difference between an adopted child and a biological child for consent, surnames,custody, child support, inheritance and property laws, incest, criminal law, and so on.

In most adoptions, the relationship between the child and the biological parents is terminated. In a stepparent adoption, only the noncustodial parent loses parental rights.

For some, it's a matter of protecting the child from legal snafus around inheritance. For others, it's an attempt to give equal status to all kids living in the household. Or the action itself may be a ritual of public commitment, like a wedding ceremony. For others, it's just making legal what's already a reality; the commitment, and the
actions of parenting, have taken place long before.

When Not to Adopt:

There are also many reasons not to adopt your stepchild. Before starting proceedings to adopt a stepchild whose other bioparent is living, consider it very deeply. Adoption is permanent and severs the relationship with the bioparent. Adoption cures nothing. Although it might ease sibling jealousies, it doesn't erase all tension around your house. Adoption won't automatically solidify your family. Don't use it as medicine.
If there's any doubt about the health or longevity of your marriage, hold off! As you are well aware, marriages can break up, but your relationship as parent—be it biological or adoptive doesn't end.
 

Florida Divorce Attorney Scott Stadler

1750 University Drive, Suite 202

Coral Springs, FL 33071 

Tel: (954) 346-6464

SAT. AND EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Have questions?

Call attorney Scott Stadler 

(954) 346-6464

or email your questions to:

scott@unhappymarriage.info

Why is a Stepparent important?

A child with a legal father is more likely to:

1. Have a stronger sense of family.

2. Develope a strong bond with the father.

3. Do well in school.

4. Have better health care.

5. Receive child support.

6. Have inheritance rights.

7. Have rights to social security, veterans and other benefits.

8. The adoptive stepparent will have a say on legal decisions about the child.

9. The adoptive stepparent will have the right to regular contact with the child if case of divorce with the biological parent.