Unifying a family through adoption can strengthen the bond between stepparents and children and help encourage their relationship. The United States has re-coined the definition of a traditional family and now exemplifies a plethora of ways a family dynamic can be created. With a large amount of divorces in recent generations, the issue of stepparent adoption continues to grow in popularity. Oftentimes when parents divorce and remarry, the stepparent and the child create a strong relationship that the stepparent and natural parent wish to legalize through adoption. Although the stepparent adoption process is fairly common, it can still be somewhat complicated and holds specific requirements that must be met in order to be successful.
Parental Rights and Consent
When considering a stepparent adoption, both the biological parent and the stepparent have serious factors to contemplate. The stepparent should be aware of the weight and implications an adoption imposes on them. A stepparent who adopts their stepchild legally steps into the role of natural parent and becomes physically and financially responsible for that child. On the other hand, the natural parent should consider the requirement of obtaining consent on behalf of the other natural parent and the termination of his or her rights. There may be exceptions to the requirement of obtaining a biological parent’s rights if that parent has not assumed a parental role, has died or is unable to be located, however courts first desire to acquire their consent prior to terminating their rights. Both the stepparent and the biological parent should also accept that if their marriage terminates, the stepparent’s legal parental rights will always remain.
Benefits of Stepparent Adoption
Along with a legal and more established relationship between a child and their stepparent, adoption provides a variety of benefits. Stepparent adoption can provide the child with a new last name that furthers the unification of his or her family and a sense of acceptance and belonging. The child will also be able to obtain a new birth certificate stating their new name and parents’ names. A stepparent who adopts a child also provides them with the ability to inherent as if they were their own biological child. More importantly, the child will actively have two legal parents in their life that are dedicated to furthering their best interest and striving to secure their well-being.
Contact Kansas Call Kansas Adoption Attorney Tom McDowell Today to Further Understand Adoption in Kansas
The process of completing a stepparent adoption does not have to be complicated or difficult, and our goal is to support parents in any way we can. If your matter is complex or intricate, or obtaining the required consent has presented challenges, Kansas Adoption Attorney Tom McDowell can help. Each state has its own specific set of stepparent adoption laws and Kansas is no different. Call attorney Tom McDowell today at (316) 633-4322 to have your stepparent adoption questions answered according to the laws in Kansas in order to successfully grow your family through adoption.