Last updated March 10, 2010
Adoption of Stepparents
and Grandparents
Due to the fact that the divorce rate is higher than it has ever been before, the face of the nuclear family is changing. Single parent families are on the rise and when problems occur that make raising children difficult to bear, grandparents often step in. Whether due to a missing parent, untimely death, or cases of abuse or neglect many grandparents are raising children and adopting them as their own.
Likewise, when one parent abandons the family or is deceased the remaining parent may choose to remarry leaving the new spouse the role of stepparent. Many stepparents are opting to adopt their spouse’s children in an effort to complete their family unit. Adoption offers many benefits and can provide children with the stability they need to feel secure in their new family unit. Some parents may prefer to change the children’s last name as well, to ensure that their family is complete.
When families decide to adopt, the decision is usually based and founded upon love. They want to make their family unit complete and choose adoption as the best avenue. However, the processes involved in adoptions are often lengthy, intricate, and require the services of an experienced, licensed adoption attorney.
Sometimes, the adoption attorney must play the role of detective. If one or both parents are still living, they may need to be contacted in order to relinquish their parental rights. This may prove to be a daunting task; therefore it is imperative that you hire an attorney with proven experience in adoptions.
It is important to understand that sometimes stepparents would like to adopt children before a biological parent has relinquished their parental rights. It is also important o realize that not all courts will demand that a biological parent give up their rights. Therefore, it is very important that all family members who are interested in adopting children have a consultation with an adoption attorney to determine if adoption is best for their needs as well as in the best interest for the child.
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