Step-Parent Adoption

Rancho Cucamonga Stepparent Adoption Lawyers

Helping Establish a Legal Parent-Child Relationship

As a stepparent, you may be seeking adoption to obtain legal rights for making decisions for your stepchild's well-being. And while creating this relationship can help ensure that the child gets the support and care they need, the process of doing so can be complicated. You must go through various steps, including an investigation and interview, as well as getting consent from the child's other parent. This can be a very sensitive and emotional time, and trying to handle it without a thorough understanding of the law can be overwhelming. That's why it's beneficial to retain legal representation to help with the entire process.

If you need experienced and compassionate legal counsel for stepparent adoption, reach out to Newman & Allen today. Our Rancho Cucamonga attorneys have over 4 decades of combined legal experience, and we can provide the sound advice and guidance you need. When you choose us, we'll take the time to learn about your situation and discuss your options. Additionally, our team will ensure that you get all documents filled out and filed completely and timely, are prepared for your interview, and have met all necessary requirements.


We will work hard toward helping achieve your family's goals. Call us at (909) 328-6101 or contact us online today.


The Stepparent Adoption Process

Because stepparent adoptions concern the welfare of a child (or children), the court thoroughly scrutinizes these matters. The judge wants to ensure that the decisions they make are in the best interests of the child, especially because the rights of one of the child’s biological parents are terminated. As such, the process of adopting your stepchild may be lengthy and complicated.

The steps involved in stepparent adoptions include the following:

Establishing Eligibility for Stepparent Adoption

To be able to adopt your stepchild, you must be either the spouse or registered domestic partner of one of the child's biological parents. Our Rancho Cucamonga lawyers can review the eligibility requirements with you before beginning the process.

Submitting Necessary Forms

After you have determined that you meet the requirements for a stepparent adoption, you must fill out and submit various forms. These must be complete and accurate, and any errors may slow down the process. We can help you get these documents completed and filed to the correct courthouse.

Receiving the Other Parent's Consent

One of the most important yet delicate steps in the adoption process is receiving consent from the child's other parent. When a stepparent adopts their stepchild, they assume legal responsibility for the child, which means the child's other birth parent's rights will end. Thus, you must receive their consent before proceeding with the adoption. Several factors can complicate the matter, such as the other parent not consenting, being unable to locate the child's other parent, or the child's other parent denying they are biologically related to the child. At Newman & Allen, we understand the difficulties of this process, and we can discuss your options at this stage.

Going through an Investigation and Interview

The next stage of the stepparent adoption process is undergoing an investigation and interview. You must again fill out various forms, and you must also gather certain documents that an investigator will review. The investigator will also interview you, your spouse or partner, and your stepchild (or stepchildren). Our team will help obtain the required forms and documents and let you know what to expect at this step.

Attending a Hearing

The final part of the process is the adoption hearing. During this proceeding, the judge will decide whether or not the stepparent adoption is in the best interests of the child or children. Our lawyers can help develop and present your case.

Retain Legal Help

At Newman & Allen, our Rancho Cucamonga stepparent adoption lawyers are well-versed in family law and can effectively guide you through each stage of the process. We will work toward a favorable result for you and your family.


Schedule a case evaluation by calling us at (909) 328-6101 or filling out an online contact form.


 

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