Stepparent adoptions provide legal protection for blended families.

Although the process is more streamlined than independent or agency adoptions, the adopting parents must still obtain a home study and properly address the other biological parent’s rights.

In addition to the psychological and logistical advantages of being adopted by the person who is fulfilling parental responsibilities, some practical reasons to pursue stepparent adoption include ensuring that the child:

• automatically remains with the stepparent if the biological parent dies
• will be eligible for social security or other benefits available upon the death or disability of a parent
• inherits under wills providing for distributions to children or grandchildren
• inherits from the stepparent if he/she dies without a will

In some cases, if a child’s biological parent will not consent to the adoption while the child is a minor, families complete the adoption as soon as the child turns 18, at which time it is considered an adult adoption and the biological parent’s consent is no longer necessary.

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or contact us directly.