Boynton Beach Stepparent Adoption Lawyer
The parent-child relationship is one of the most important, but the bond is often very strong with other individuals who play a primary role in the child’s life. Often, a stepparent will be in this position and carry some responsibility for raising the child. Under certain circumstances, Florida law allows a stepmother or stepfather adoption to transition the relationship into one of legal parent-child. However, the laws and legal process covering stepparent adoption are complex.
To ensure a smooth process without mistakes, it is smart to retain legal representation for assistance with stepparent adoption. The Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, Esq. has handled many of these cases for clients, helping them meet all requirements and obtaining all necessary consents. We will guide you through the process, so please contact us to speak to a member of our team. You can set up a consultation with a Boynton Beach stepparent adoption lawyer, and read on for some basics.
Summary of Adoption Laws
Any minor or adult can be adopted, and any person can adopt if they do not have a disability or other issues that impact the child’s best interests. A key factor is that, when the person filing a petition to adopt is married, both spouses must join.
To move forward with stepparent adoption, it is necessary to obtain consents from both parents. This is because adoption by someone terminates parental rights. Obviously, one parent is married to the stepparent and will agree. However, if the other parent does not agree, there are other circumstances that enable you to proceed without consent.
- The parent’s rights were already terminated in another legal proceeding, such as where misconduct threatened the child’s safety and well-being.
- The parent is incarcerated or incapacitated.
- The child was adjudicated dependent because of neglect or abuse.
Legal Help with the Adoption Process
There are multiple steps involved with these cases, but they will vary depending on your circumstances. The biggest issue is getting consent from the non-adopting parent, and whether it will be easy or tough to obtain. The Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, Esq. will be at your side for all proceedings, so count on a South Florida stepparent adoption lawyer to:
- Consult with you and review your circumstances to develop strategy;
- Collect all essential documents, including consents when necessary;
- Gathering paperwork to prove termination of parental rights, if already accomplished;
- Preparing the petition for adoption and all required notices; and,
- Attending the hearing on the petition and finalizing adoption.
Keep in mind that you can still raise the issues about misconduct if the non-adopting parent does not consent AND parental rights have not yet been terminated.
Trust a Boynton Beach Stepparent Adoption Lawyer for Advice
If you are looking at options to adopt your stepchild, you will benefit from working with knowledgeable legal counsel. The Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, Esq. helps navigate the legal process, so errors do not cause delays or conflict. Please contact our firm to schedule a case evaluation. After reviewing your circumstances, a Boynton Beach stepparent adoption lawyer will advise you.
